Tulare County, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Unincorporated Tulare County uses a behavior-based, breed-neutral approach to dangerous animals. Chapter 4-7, Article 6 (Section 4-07-6000) regulates "Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Animals" and is designed to address animals that threaten people or other animals regardless of breed. The definitions in Section 4-07-1400 turn on conduct: a "Potentially Dangerous Animal" includes any animal that behaves so the owner knows or should know it poses a threat, or that threatens or attacks a person requiring defensive action; a "Vicious Animal" includes one that, when unprovoked, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human or other animal, or a previously declared potentially dangerous animal that continues the behavior.

While the Article 6 purpose statement notes that some animals have a propensity to attack "by virtue of breeding or training," the operative rules apply to individual animals based on what they do, not their breed. California state law (Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683) also bars cities and counties from adopting breed-specific bans, allowing only breed-neutral dangerous-dog programs and, in limited cases, breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding rules. As a result, no specific breed is prohibited in unincorporated Tulare County; owners of any breed must simply avoid letting their dog behave dangerously.