Ames, IA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Ames regulates dangerous animals by conduct, not breed. Sec. 3.202(1) defines a 'Dangerous Domestic Animal' as one that has inflicted serious injury on a person without provocation, has on its own initiative seriously injured or killed a domestic animal, is kept for animal fighting, or by breeding, training, disposition or behavior may pose a potential risk of attacking and inflicting injury without provocation. The City Animal Control Officer makes that call under Sec. 3.202(2) using reasonable evidence, including verified incident reports, any provocation or trespass by the injured party, the animal's compliance history, and expert opinion; during an investigation the officer can order the animal secured, including off the owner's premises at the owner's expense, under Sec.

3.202(3). Once an animal is designated, Sec. 3.203 requires annual registration with Animal Control, Sec. 3.204 requires the keeper to post a $100,000 bond or carry a $1,000,000 liability policy, and Sec. 3.205 imposes strict confinement specifications: locked indoor access or a chain-link, roofed, concrete-floored outdoor pen with a perimeter fence at least four feet from the enclosure, plus a muzzle and leash whenever the animal leaves the property. Sec. 3.208 gives the owner a right to appeal a euthanasia or registration order to the Chief of Police within seven days, heard by a three-person committee that includes a dog professional. Sec. 3.209 allows registration to be lifted after 36 months with no further qualifying incident. Police service dogs are exempt under Sec. 3.211.