Reading, PA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Pennsylvania has had statutory preemption of breed-specific local ordinances since the Dangerous Dog Act amendments. Section 459-507-A(c) at https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-3-ps-agriculture/pa-st-sect-3-459-507-a.html states that a local ordinance otherwise dealing with dogs may not prohibit or otherwise limit a specific breed of dog, and abrogates earlier conflicting local ordinances. Reading, as a Third Class City, is bound by this state-level limit on its police power and has not enacted any breed-specific list. Reading's Code Section 141-216 at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-6514 instead regulates dogs by behavior: any owner of an aggressive dog, vicious animal, or dangerous dog must register the animal with the Reading Property Maintenance Division, pay a registration fee set in Chapter 212, and obtain a permit to keep the dog. The state Dangerous Dog Act at 3 P.S. Section 459-502-A (https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-3-ps-agriculture/pa-st-sect-3-459-502-a/) defines 'dangerous dog' based on attacks causing severe injury, attacks without provocation, killing or maiming a domestic animal, or being used in commission of a crime — never by breed. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, and similar breeds receive the same legal treatment as any other dog in Reading. Insurance discrimination by breed is also limited under Section 459-507-A.