Connecticut state law expressly preempts municipalities from enacting breed-specific dog regulations, prohibiting any city or town ordinance that bans, restricts, or regulates dogs based on breed alone.
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22-339d, enacted in 2013, prohibits any municipality from adopting any ordinance regulating dogs based on breed, type, or appearance. Connecticut joined the majority of states in banning breed-specific legislation (BSL). Municipalities may still regulate dangerous dogs based on individual behavior under Sec. 22-358, but classification must depend on the specific dog's conduct, not breed. Animal control officers handle dangerous dog determinations through individualized hearings rather than blanket breed prohibitions.
Municipal ordinances violating preemption are unenforceable and void. Affected dog owners may seek declaratory judgment or injunctive relief to invalidate any breed-specific local rule.
See how New Milford's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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