Carmel, IN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

No breed-specific ban exists in the Carmel City Code (Chapter 6, Division III) or in the Hamilton County Animal Control ordinance that applies inside Carmel. Regulation is conduct-based. The county code defines a 'Vicious Animal' as one that 'attacks, bites or injures human beings, pets, companion animals or livestock or which, because of temperament, conditioning, or training, has a known propensity to attack' (Sec. 15-2.1-1-1) — a behavioral standard with no reference to breed. Once a court has found a dog dangerous, violent or vicious, Sec. 15-2.1-1-10 (Vicious animals) requires that the dog be securely muzzled when on any street or public place, and imposes containment rules: the owner must add a second perimeter fence, keep the dog in a locked pen or kennel of adequate size that does not share fencing with the perimeter, with sides buried two feet or sunk in concrete. When outside the pen but on the owner's property, a vicious dog must be on a 'leash of sufficient strength,' 'no longer than ten feet,' and kept at least 15 feet inside the property boundary unless the boundary is securely fenced. Vicious dogs may not be chained to a tree, post or building outside the enclosure. Separately, Sec. 15-2.1-1-28 lets a court deem a dog vicious after an unprovoked attack and, for serious injury or death, order the animal forfeited or destroyed. Law-enforcement dogs are exempt.