Gulfport, MS Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 7-114 is a behavior-based dangerous dog ordinance rather than a breed list. It splits into ownership and at-large duties: an owner may not possess, keep or harbor a dog with dangerous or vicious propensities within city limits unless the dog is securely restrained and fenced or enclosed on the owner's own premises. Separately, it is unlawful to let such a dog be or remain at large unless it is kept under secure control by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise, or is securely and properly muzzled to prevent biting or injury.

The section's interpretation clause states these controls exist because unrestrained vicious animals threaten the safety of streets, parks, sidewalks and yards, and explicitly rules out a lack-of-knowledge or lack-of-intent defense, meaning an owner cannot avoid liability by claiming they did not realize the dog was dangerous. This dovetails with Section 7-119, which authorizes summary destruction without notice of a dog with known dangerous or vicious propensities that is found running at large after the owner had prior notice of that propensity, or a dog observed attacking, biting or chasing a person or another animal. Section 7-114 was adopted by Ordinance No. 1788, Section 4, on December 22, 1987, predating the more detailed impoundment and destruction sections added later.