La Grange, MO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Article II of Chapter 210, added by Ordinance No. 552 on October 11, 2010, prohibits keeping, harboring, owning or possessing a pit bull dog anywhere within the City of La Grange. Section 210.210 defines 'pit bull dog' to include the Staffordshire bull terrier, the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, any mixed breed identifiably containing one of those breeds, and any dog with the predominant appearance of those breeds. Dogs already residing in the City on the ordinance's effective date are grandfathered, but only if the owner registers the dog with the City within 30 days, reports in writing within 30 days of a dog's theft, loss, removal, death, or the birth of offspring, and reports any change of address within the City.

A grandfathered pit bull cannot be sold or transferred except to someone living in the same household, and any offspring must be removed from the City within eight weeks of birth. No pit bull dog, grandfathered or not, is allowed in any public park in La Grange, and the Code creates an irrebuttable presumption that any dog registered as a pit bull, or belonging to one of the listed breeds, is a dangerous dog subject to the Section. A person convicted of violating Section 210.210 in Municipal Court faces a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,000.00, plus up to 30 days' imprisonment; the court may also order the registration revoked and the dog removed from the City, hold a refusing owner in contempt, and require the violator to pay all shelter, food, handling and veterinary expenses plus any resulting damages, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.