Pasco County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed ban
- None - prohibited by state law
- Controlling statute
- F.S. Sec. 767.14 (no breed/weight/size regulation)
- County dangerous-dog law
- Pasco County Code Sec. 14-42
- Basis for regulation
- Individual dog's behavior, not breed
- Dangerous-dog duties
- Registration, enclosure, signs, microchip, sterilization
Summary
Pasco County has no breed-specific dog ban. Florida Statute Sec. 767.14 prohibits local governments from adopting any dog regulation that is specific to breed, weight, or size, so Pasco regulates only by behavior, classifying individual dogs as 'dangerous' under Chapter 14 Sec. 14-42 and F.S. ch. 767.
This act does not limit any local government or public housing authority from adopting an ordinance or a policy, respectively, to address the safety and welfare concerns caused by attacks on persons or domestic animals; placing further restrictions or additional requirements on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked persons or domestic animals; or developing procedures and criteria for the implementation of this act, provided that no such regulation is specific to breed, weight, or size and that the provisions of this act are not lessened by such additional regulations or requirements.
Full Breakdown
There is no pit-bull or other breed ban in Pasco County. Under Florida Statute Sec. ) Accordingly, Pasco County Code Sec. ch. 767 and classifies individual dogs as 'dangerous' based on conduct, defined as a dog that has aggressively bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a person; has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal off the owner's property; or has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion. Once classified, the owner must obtain a certificate of registration and dangerous-dog tag, maintain a proper enclosure, post warning signs, microchip and sterilize the dog, and carry the registration annually. The classification turns entirely on the individual animal's behavior, never its breed.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with the dangerous-dog requirements of Sec. 14-42 and F.S. ch. 767 (registration, enclosure, signage, microchip, sterilization) can result in impoundment of the dog under Sec. 14-103(9) and forfeiture to the county if not redeemed; underlying Chapter 14 violations are civil infractions of up to $500.00 per offense under Sec. 14-33, and dangerous-dog offenses carry the additional criminal and civil consequences provided in F.S. ch. 767.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pasco County ban pit bulls or any specific dog breed?
How does Pasco County handle aggressive or biting dogs?
Can my HOA or insurer still restrict certain breeds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco County
How Pasco County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pasco County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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