Blue Hill, NE Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Blue Hill has no named-breed ordinance; Article 2's dangerous dog provisions turn entirely on a dog's own record. Section 3-216 defines "dangerous dog" as one that, per animal control authority records, has killed or inflicted injury on a human being on public or private property, has killed a domestic animal without provocation, or was previously determined a potentially dangerous dog and, after the owner received notice, again aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers safety. The section carves out defenses: a dog isn't dangerous if the victim was trespassing, tormenting or assaulting the dog, or committing a crime, or if the dog was a police service dog.

Once declared dangerous, § 3-217 requires the owner to keep the dog securely confined when unattended, indoors or in a securely enclosed, locked pen meeting city zoning setbacks, and to post a warning sign at least 10 by 12 inches reading "Warning" and "Dangerous Animal" in 3-inch high-contrast lettering on a black background. Section 3-218 adds that the dog must be spayed or neutered and microchipped within 30 days at owner expense, and may leave the property only on a chain or leash. Section 3-219 makes an owner whose dangerous dog inflicts a severe injury guilty of a Class I misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class IV felony for repeats, and lets animal control confiscate the dog.

Sections 3-220 and 3-225 escalate further, barring dog ownership for ten years after a prior-conviction attack and letting the City Council declare a repeat violator a "reckless owner" whose household pet licenses are all revoked, subject to a $100 appeal.