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Tippecanoe County, IN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Breed-specific ban
None; conduct-based standard only
Hazardous animal defined by
Unprovoked attack, bite or injury (§ 90.02)
Automatic listing triggers
Unprovoked child bite; death/serious injury (§ 90.11(H))
Confinement fine
$250 (§ 90.05(C)/§ 90.99)
Appeal window
30 days to court (§ 90.11(E))

Summary

Tippecanoe County does not ban or restrict any dog breed by name. Chapter 90 instead defines a "hazardous animal" by conduct, biting or injuring without provocation, and the Animal Control Officer keeps a Hazardous Animal List that any animal, regardless of breed, can land on after an unprovoked bite or attack.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Tippecanoe County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

HAZARDOUS ANIMAL. An animal that attacks, bites, or injures humans or domesticated animals without adequate provocation or an animal with a known propensity to attack, bite, or injure humans or domesticated animals. (§ 90.02) ... (H)(1) The Animal Control Officer shall maintain a Hazardous Animal List. The presence of an animal on this list shall constitute prima facie evidence that the animal is "hazardous" within the meaning of this chapter. An animal may still be "hazardous" within the meaning of § 90.02 even if the animal is not present on the Hazardous Animal List. The Animal Control Officer shall place an animal on the Hazardous Animal List if: (a) The animal, without provocation, bites a child. (b) The animal causes death or serious injury to a person or domesticated animal.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-17: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2025-25-CM, passed 8-1-25; and State legislation current through 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).

Full Breakdown

11(H)(1) requires the Animal Control Officer to maintain a Hazardous Animal List, and presence on it is prima facie evidence the animal is hazardous, though an animal can still be found hazardous even if it never makes the list. 11(H)(2). 05(C) requires the owner to confine it in a building or a locked, secure enclosure, or muzzle it and keep it on a leash under direct control whenever it leaves confinement. 10(D).

Violations & Fines

Failing to properly confine a hazardous animal under § 90.05(C) draws a $250 fine under the § 90.99 penalty table. An owner aggrieved by a hazardous-animal designation may appeal to a court of plenary jurisdiction in Tippecanoe County within 30 days under § 90.11(E), though the appeal does not extend the impoundment deadlines in § 90.09. The county may also seek injunctive relief restricting an owner's ability to possess or own animals in the county under § 90.11(F).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tippecanoe County ban pit bulls or other specific dog breeds?
No. Chapter 90 contains no breed list or breed ban. § 90.02 defines HAZARDOUS ANIMAL purely by what the animal does, attacking, biting or injuring without adequate provocation, or having a known propensity to do so, regardless of breed.
How does an animal end up on the county's Hazardous Animal List?
Under § 90.11(H)(1), the Animal Control Officer must add an animal that, without provocation, bites a child or causes death or serious injury to a person or domesticated animal, and may add others believed to have a dangerous propensity.
What happens once an animal is declared hazardous?
§ 90.05(C) requires the owner to confine the animal in a building or a locked, secure enclosure, or muzzle it and keep it on a leash under direct control when outside confinement; violating this costs a $250 fine under § 90.99.
Can I challenge a hazardous-animal designation?
Yes. § 90.11(E) lets an owner aggrieved by the Animal Control Officer's decision appeal to a court of plenary jurisdiction in Tippecanoe County within 30 days, though the appeal does not extend impoundment deadlines under § 90.09.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tippecanoe County

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsCat RulesLight RestrictionsPet LimitsFew RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsMicrochippingSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsPet Store RulesSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Tippecanoe County rules

How Tippecanoe County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Tippecanoe County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview

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