Fishers, IN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed bans
- None: behavior-based only
- Who declares
- Animal Control Officer
- Appeal window
- 10 days to request hearing
- Restraint
- Muzzle + locked second fence required
- Fine
- Up to $500 per occurrence
Summary
Fishers has no breed-specific ban; instead, City Code § 91.07 lets an Animal Control Officer declare any individual animal dangerous based on documented bites or attacks, triggering mandatory muzzling, fencing, and registration.
An Animal Control Officer has authority and may declare as DANGEROUS any animal that: (1) Has inflicted severe injury or multiple minor injuries on a human being; (2) Has killed or inflicted severe injury to a privately owned animal while the animal is off its owner's property; (3) Has been previously found to be dangerous, the owner having received notice of such and the animal again bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans or privately owned animals...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 051826E, passed 5-18-26; and Resolution No. R051826C, passed 5-18-26; and State legislation current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2026 Acts, Pamphlet #1).
Full Breakdown
Fishers has no ordinance banning specific dog breeds. Instead, City Code § 91.07 lets an Animal Control Officer declare any individual animal 'dangerous' based on its conduct: inflicting severe injury, killing another pet off its own owner's property, or repeating an attack after an earlier dangerous finding. Owners get written notice and 10 days to request a City Court hearing before the designation is final. Once declared, the animal must be muzzled outside its enclosure, kept behind a locked second perimeter fence, and the property posted with a warning sign; violations bring fines up to $500 per occurrence.
Violations & Fines
Violating the dangerous-animal restraint or registration rules draws a fine of up to $500 per occurrence under § 91.99; repeat or serious incidents can lead to court-ordered forfeiture or destruction of the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fishers ban pit bulls or other dog breeds?
What happens once a dog is declared dangerous in Fishers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fishers
How Fishers compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Fishers to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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