Marion County, OR Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed bans
- None in Marion County
- Standard
- Behavior, not breed
- Dangerous dog
- ORS 609.098
- Potentially dangerous
- ORS 609.035
- County infraction
- MCC 6.05.050
Summary
Marion County does not ban any dog breed. Regulation is behavior-based: state law ORS 609.098 makes it a crime to maintain a 'dangerous dog,' defined by what a dog does, inflicting serious injury or killing a person, not by its breed.
'A dangerous dog' means a dog that: (a) Without provocation and in an aggressive manner inflicts serious physical injury, as defined in ORS 161.015, on a person or kills a person.
Full Breakdown
Neither Marion County's Dog Control code nor Oregon statute imposes breed-specific restrictions. Instead, dogs are regulated by conduct. Under ORS 609.098 a 'dangerous dog' is one that, without provocation and aggressively, inflicts serious physical injury on or kills a person. ORS 609.035 separately defines a lesser 'potentially dangerous dog' (menacing a person, a lesser injury, or harming livestock). A keeper who negligently fails to prevent a dangerous act can be charged. Owners of any breed must license the dog and keep it controlled; there is no pit-bull or other breed prohibition at the county level.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining a dangerous dog is a crime under ORS 609.098. Potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs are also county civil infractions (MCC 6.05.050) that can trigger control orders or impoundment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Marion County?
What makes a dog legally dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion County
How Marion County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Marion County to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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