Rutherford County, TN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed bans
- None (no BSL)
- Basis for dangerous label
- Behavior, not breed
- Decided by
- General Sessions Court
- State kill order
- T.C.A. §44-17-120
- Insurance if dangerous
- $100,000 liability
Summary
Rutherford County has no breed-specific ban. Its dangerous-dog rules cannot label a dog dangerous based solely on breed. Truly dangerous dogs are regulated by behavior through General Sessions Court, and state law allows destruction of a dog that kills or seriously injures.
No such designation as a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog or any other similar such designation shall be recognized by Rutherford County if such designation is based solely on the breed of the dog.
Full Breakdown
Section 9 of the PAWS dangerous-dog article states no designation may be recognized if based solely on breed. Dangerous or potentially dangerous status is decided by a judge on the dog's conduct, not its breed. Statewide, T.C.A. §44-17-120(a) provides: "Any dog that attacks a human and causes death or serious bodily injury may be destroyed upon the order of the judge of the general sessions court of the county wherein the attack occurred. Such orders shall be granted on the petition of the district attorney general for the county."
Violations & Fines
Owning a court-designated dangerous dog without required muzzle, enclosure, insurance, and signage is unlawful; the court may order the dog seized and humanely euthanized for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Rutherford County?
What happens to a dog that seriously hurts someone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rutherford County
How Rutherford County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Rutherford County to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
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