Springfield, MO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 18-95
- Scope
- Own, possess, harbor, transport, or sell
- Defined breeds
- APBT, Am. Staffordshire, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- First-offense penalty
- $500 minimum fine, no suspension
- Second-offense penalty
- $1,000 minimum fine, per violation
Summary
Springfield, Missouri outright bans owning, possessing, or harboring pit bulls citywide under City Code § 18-95, defining the breed by American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier standards, with only narrow show/transport exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell within the city any pit bull. ... Pit bull means any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 18-95 makes it unlawful to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell any pit bull within Springfield, Missouri (Greene County) city limits. Section 18-96 defines pit bull as an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying a majority of those breeds' physical traits or AKC/UKC-conforming characteristics. Section 18-97 allows only narrow exceptions: temporary pass-through transport in a secure enclosure, veterinary or grooming trips, and city-manager-approved exhibition shows. Any non-exempt pit bull found in the city is subject to immediate impoundment and destruction under § 18-98.
Violations & Fines
First offense carries a mandatory minimum $500 fine plus court costs with no suspended imposition of sentence; a second or subsequent violation carries a mandatory minimum $1,000 fine, per City Code § 18-99. Non-exempt dogs face impoundment and destruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Springfield, Missouri?
What breeds count as a 'pit bull' under Springfield's ban?
What's the penalty for keeping a pit bull in Springfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
How Springfield compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Springfield to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
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