Moore, OK Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed named in code
- None; definition is behavior-based (Sec 4-101)
- Vicious dog hearing
- Held by municipal judge within 10 days (Sec 4-177)
- Insurance required
- $100,000 minimum liability policy (Sec 4-173)
- Sterilization deadline
- 30 days after vicious finding (Sec 4-173)
- Provocation defense
- Bars vicious finding if dog was provoked (Sec 4-175)
Summary
Moore's Code of Ordinances names no restricted or banned dog breed. Section 4-101's definition of 'vicious canine' turns entirely on a dog's documented conduct, injuries caused, or use in fighting, and Article 4-1F applies the same registration, confinement and insurance rules to any dog so declared regardless of breed.
Vicious canine means: Any canine which, according to the records of the appropriate authority, has inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property where such a person is conducting himself peaceably and lawfully; Any canine which, according to the records of the appropriate authority, requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury or property damage without provocation on public or private property where such a person is conducting himself peaceably and lawfully; Any canine which, according to the records of the appropriate authority, has killed a domestic animal or livestock without provocation while off the owner's property or has caused economic loss to the owner of livestock as a result of the canine's attacking or harassing the livestock; Any canine owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of canine fighting or any canine trained for canine fighting;
Full Breakdown
Chapter 4-1's definitions section, 4-101, defines 'vicious canine' through four purely behavioral tests: a canine that has inflicted severe injury on an unprovoked person acting peaceably and lawfully; a canine requiring defensive action to prevent unprovoked bodily injury or property damage; a canine that has killed livestock or another domestic animal without provocation, or caused economic loss by attacking livestock; or a canine owned, harbored or trained for dogfighting. No breed, size or type of dog is named anywhere in this definition or in Article 4-1F, which houses the vicious-animal procedures at Sections 4-171 through 4-177.
Once a municipal judge declares a specific dog vicious under Section 4-177's hearing process, Section 4-173 imposes the same obligations on that dog's owner regardless of breed: a locked enclosure at least five feet by ten feet and six feet high, a muzzle and six-foot leash off-property, a posted 'Beware of Dog' sign, annual registration with photographs, mandatory spay or neuter within 30 days, a microchip within 30 days, and liability insurance or a surety bond of at least $100,000.00. Section 4-175 exempts a dog from the vicious designation entirely if the person it threatened, injured or damaged had provoked it, such as by trespassing, teasing, tormenting or assaulting the animal.
Because the entire scheme is triggered by an individual dog's documented conduct rather than its breed, Moore imposes no ownership restriction, registration requirement, or ban tied to breed identity itself.
Violations & Fines
There is no breed-based penalty because no breed is regulated. An owner whose dog is judicially declared vicious and who fails to meet Section 4-173's confinement, registration, sterilization, microchip or insurance requirements is punished under Section 4-174 as provided in Section 1-108: a fine, plus up to ten days' imprisonment at the court's discretion, and the dog may be impounded and destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Moore, OK ban pit bulls or other dog breeds?
How does a dog get declared vicious in Moore?
What must an owner do once their dog is declared vicious?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moore
How Moore compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Moore to another location·View the Oklahoma animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle breed restrictions.