Duluth, MN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- No breed list
- Duluth regulates by individual dog, not breed
- Leash rule
- 6 feet maximum outside owner's dwelling
- Handler age
- At least 18, direct physical control
- State overlay
- Minnesota Statutes Chapter 347 also applies
- Seizure trigger
- Attack after dangerous declaration, § 6-94(a)
Summary
Duluth does not regulate dogs by breed; instead, Duluth Legislative Code Section 6-93 lets the animal control authority impose individualized restrictions on any dog it has declared potentially dangerous or dangerous, and outside its owner's dwelling a potentially dangerous dog must be leashed at six feet or less, or fenced, under direct control of an adult at least 18.
(a) Except as provided in Minnesota Statutes Section 347.51, Subd. 8, the animal control authority may place on owners of potentially dangerous or dangerous dogs any restrictions that the animal control authority deems necessary to ensure public safety; (b) When outside its owner=s dwelling, a potentially dangerous dog must be kept on a leash not exceeding six feet in length and must be under direct physical control or a responsible person at least 18 years old, or inside a physical fence or other secure enclosure to both restrain the potentially dangerous dog from coming into physical contact with the public and to prevent the public from coming into physical contact with that dog.
Full Breakdown
Duluth handles aggressive dogs through an individualized dangerous-dog process rather than a breed list. Article IX of Chapter 6 makes the animal control authority responsible for enforcing Minnesota Statutes Chapter 347 within the City of Duluth, and every potentially dangerous or dangerous dog in the city is also subject to that state chapter in addition to Duluth's own Article IX. 51, Subdivision 8. Section 6-93(b) then sets a floor restriction for potentially dangerous dogs specifically: whenever the dog is outside its owner's dwelling, it must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under the direct physical control of a responsible person at least 18 years old, or confined inside a physical fence or other secure enclosure, so that the dog cannot reach the public and the public cannot reach the dog.
Section 6-92 separately makes it unlawful for any dog's owner, of any classification, to fail to restrain the dog from inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily injury on a person or another animal, whether or not the owner is present, with exceptions for a police dog on duty and for an attack on an intruder who has entered the owner's home with criminal intent. Sections 6-94 through 6-97 cover seizure, reclaiming, concealment and euthanasia of dogs declared dangerous.
Violations & Fines
A dog that attacks, bites, chases or threatens after being declared potentially dangerous or dangerous can be seized immediately under Section 6-94; an owner who ignores the Section 6-93 leash, control or enclosure conditions within 14 days of notice, or who conceals such a dog from the animal control authority under Section 6-96, faces impoundment, euthanasia proceedings or license consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Duluth ban pit bulls or other dog breeds?
How must I control a dangerous dog in Duluth in public?
What happens if my declared dangerous dog attacks someone in Duluth?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Duluth
How Duluth compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Duluth to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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