Philadelphia, PA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

There is no Philadelphia ordinance restricting pit bulls or any other breed, and the city could not enact one. Pennsylvania's Dangerous Dog statute, 3 P.S. Sec. 459-507-A(c) (Construction of article), abrogates local dangerous-dog provisions and states that a local ordinance otherwise dealing with dogs may not prohibit or otherwise limit a specific breed of dog. The same state framework also bars liability-insurance and surety carriers from refusing coverage based on a dog's breed. Philadelphia instead regulates dogs by behavior: Phila. Code Sec. 10-104(2) defers to Article V-A of the state Dog Law (3 P.S. Secs. 459-502-A et seq.) for dogs adjudicated dangerous, and treats other vicious animals individually. As a result, breed alone is never a basis for restriction in Philadelphia.