Knox County, TN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- No breed bans
- Breed-only designations not recognized, § 6-79
- Level one criteria
- 2+ on-property attacks in 24 months, § 6-72(b)
- Level two criteria
- Severe-injury bite or repeat incidents, § 6-72(c)
- Level two enclosure
- Minimum 6-foot secure enclosure, § 6-77(a)(1)
- Liability insurance
- $100,000 minimum for level two dogs, § 6-77(a)(12)
- Division 2 penalty
- $50 per day on conviction, § 6-80
- Designation removal
- Automatic after 18 clean months, § 6-78
Summary
Knox County has no breed-specific dog ban. Code Section 6-79 explicitly bars recognizing "any similar such designation by another lawful body, humane society or governmental entity" if it "is based solely upon the breed of the dog." Instead, the county's dangerous-dog scheme in Division 2 of Chapter 6 designates individual dogs as "level one" or "level two" dangerous only after documented bite or attack incidents proven in General Sessions Court.
No such designation as a level one or level two dangerous dog or any similar such designation by another lawful body, humane society or governmental entity shall be recognized by the county if such designation is based solely upon the breed of the dog. Any person relocating a dog to the county is subject to the restrictions set forth in this article. ... (b)The general sessions court shall designate a dog as a "level one dangerous dog" if the general sessions court finds, upon a preponderance of the evidence, that the dog: (1)Has, when unprovoked while on the property of its owner, attacked a person on two or more occasions within the prior 24-month period; or (3)Has, when unprovoked while off the property of its owner, bitten a person or domestic animal causing a minor injury.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Under Section 6-72(b), the General Sessions Court designates a dog "level one dangerous" if it has, unprovoked, attacked a person on the owner's property twice or more in 24 months, engaged off-property in behavior that would require defensive action, or bitten a person or animal off-property causing a minor injury. A. Section 39-14-203. " Restrictions instead attach to the individual dog's conduct: Section 6-76 requires a level one dog to be confined by fence or enclosure, leashed off-premises, neutered or spayed, microchipped and never tethered to an object. 00 filed with the animal control division.
Violations & Fines
Section 6-80 sets Division 2's own penalty, separate from the county's general animal-control fine schedule: any violation of the dangerous-dog provisions is punishable by a $50.00 fine upon conviction, with each day of violation deemed a separate offense. A level two dog impounded for breaking its court-ordered restrictions can also trigger a district attorney petition to the circuit court for destruction of the dog under T.C.A. Section 44-17-120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Knox County ban specific dog breeds like pit bulls?
What makes a dog "level two dangerous" in Knox County?
What must an owner do if their dog is declared level two dangerous?
Can a dangerous-dog designation ever be removed in Knox County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knox County
How Knox County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Knox County to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.