Joliet, IL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 6-28
- Basis
- Behavior after attack, not breed
- Liability insurance
- $100,000 minimum
- Leash length
- 6 feet max, muzzled
- Appeal window
- 35 days (vicious finding)
Summary
Joliet has no breed ban; instead it runs a behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog declaration process after any dog attack, with an administrative hearing, mandatory leash-and-muzzle rules, $100,000 liability insurance, warning signage, and euthanasia for dogs found vicious.
Dangerous dog means any individual dog, other than a police dog, that when unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or custodian behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses an unjustified imminent threat of physical injury to a person or a companion animal. ... Vicious dog means a dog, other than a police dog, that, without justification, attacks a person or a companion animal and causes serious physical injury or death or any individual dog that has been found to be a "dangerous dog" upon two (2) separate occasions, within any twenty-four (24) month period, but only after an administrative hearing.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 200).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 6-28 defines a 'dangerous dog' as any dog other than a police dog that, when unmuzzled, unleashed or unattended, behaves in a way a reasonable person would believe poses an unjustified imminent threat of physical injury to a person or companion animal; a 'vicious dog' is one that without justification attacks and causes serious physical injury or death, or one found dangerous twice within 24 months after a hearing. After an attack, the Joliet Police Department investigates and may require the dog confined, leashed to no more than six feet and muzzled during any authorized outings, pending an administrative hearing before a city hearing officer, with at least seven days' notice to the owner.
If the hearing officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog is dangerous, remedies can include behaviorist evaluation, spay or neuter within ten days, microchipping, secure enclosure, fines under subsection (d), and victim reimbursement; owners of dogs found dangerous twice may see the dog declared vicious and ordered euthanized. 00 and post a specified one-foot warning sign at the enclosure. A dangerous designation not involving a bite may be removed on written request 24 months after the finding if there are no further violations. Determinations are final administrative decisions appealable to the circuit court, with a vicious-dog owner given 35 days to file for de novo review.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 6-28(d) makes any violation of the section, including failure to comply with a dangerous-dog order, punishable under the Code's general penalty in Sec. 1-8: a fine of $150.00 to $750.00 per offense, plus costs, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. A dog found vicious must be euthanized by a date certain, and if the owner fails to comply, police or their designee may seize the dog and euthanize it at the owner's expense; the city may also seek civil injunctive relief and recover attorney's fees if it prevails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Joliet ban pit bulls or other specific breeds?
What must an owner do once a dog is declared dangerous?
Can a dangerous-dog finding be appealed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Joliet
How Joliet compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Joliet to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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