Dubuque, IA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Rather than listing restricted breeds, Dubuque regulates dogs and other animals by documented conduct. Under City Code § 7-6E-1, the City Manager may declare a dog "potentially vicious" if, unprovoked, it has twice required a defensive action to prevent injury, has bitten or attacked a person, has seriously injured or killed a domestic animal off its owner's property, or has chased or menaced someone in an apparent attitude of attack. Section 7-6E-2 lets the declaration rest on a citizen's written complaint, a Health Services Department bite report, an officer's observation, or other substantial evidence, and it must name the restrictions imposed and the penalties for violating them.

Once declared, § 7-6E-5 requires the dog to be licensed, vaccinated, and kept indoors or in a secure fenced yard on the owner's property, and muzzled and leashed by a responsible adult off it; the owner or keeper must report immediately if the dog gets loose, bites, is sold, or is moved. Section 7-6F applies a second, stricter "vicious animal" designation, covering dogs or cats that bite or attack more than once without provocation or that cause serious bodily injury in a single attack; a vicious animal must stay in the City and under its keeper's ownership until the matter is resolved, and it may not be sold, given away, or relocated in the meantime.

Both articles exempt dogs that were provoked, defended against an unjustified attack, or were working as hunting, herding or predator-control dogs when the incident occurred.