Jackson, TN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Jackson's Title 10, Chapter 3 regulates dangerous dogs by conduct rather than breed. Section 10-301 defines a 'vicious dog' as any dog that, according to the records of the appropriate authority, has aggressively bitten, attacked, or otherwise injured a human being, severely injured or killed a person, been used for dog fighting or other aggressive activity, or, while off its owner's property and unprovoked, attacked another domestic animal causing serious injury or death. Under § 10-302, once an animal control or law enforcement officer finds probable cause that a dog is vicious, the owner is cited to appear in city court, which holds a hearing five to fifteen days later and designates the dog vicious upon a preponderance of the evidence.

Section 10-303 protects owners from a vicious designation stemming from an injury to a trespasser or to someone who was teasing, tormenting, or assaulting the dog. Once a dog is declared vicious, § 10-306 requires its owner to be a 'competent person' at least eighteen years old and to keep the dog securely confined indoors or in a locked pen at least five feet by ten feet, with secure sides embedded at least two feet into the ground if there is no floor. Outside the pen, the dog must wear a muzzle and be restrained on a leash or chain no longer than four feet under a handler's physical control.

The owner must post a warning sign, readable from the public road and at least twelve inches square, plus a child-warning symbol sign at the residence and on the dog's enclosure, and must carry at least one hundred thousand dollars in public liability insurance covering the dog, filed with the animal care center. Section 10-307 lets the city court order impoundment or destruction for a dog that attacks again or whose owner fails to meet these requirements, subject to the owner's right to a hearing under § 10-309.

Section 10-314 sets the penalty for any violation of the chapter at a fifty-dollar ($50.00) fine, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense.