St. Louis, MO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis
- documented behavior, not breed
- Registration
- certificate required, City-issued
- Insurance
- $50,000 bond or liability policy
- Restraint
- muzzle + 6-ft leash outside enclosure
- Appeal window
- 5 days to request hearing
Summary
St. Louis's Health Commissioner can declare any dog "dangerous" after a documented bite, attack, or prior warning, triggering mandatory registration, $50,000 liability coverage, and muzzle-and-leash rules: the law targets behavior, not breed.
A. Designation of Dog as Dangerous Dog. The Director of Health or his or her designee may declare an animal a Dangerous Dog if he or she has probable cause to believe that the animal falls within the definition set forth in this chapter. ... B.1. It is unlawful for any person to have a dangerous dog in the City without a certificate of registration issued under this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).
Full Breakdown
Under Revised Code § 10.04.270, the Director of Health may declare a dog dangerous on probable cause: a bite report, a court conviction, or an officer's witnessed incident. The owner gets written notice and 5 days to request an appeal hearing before the Commissioner. Once declared, the dog needs a City certificate of registration: a secure enclosure with posted warning signs, a $50,000 surety bond or liability policy, spay/neuter and microchip proof, and a muzzle plus 6-foot leash whenever it leaves the enclosure. No dog breed is named anywhere in the definition.
Violations & Fines
Keeping an unregistered dangerous dog, or one without required insurance or a proper enclosure, triggers immediate confiscation. A conviction under Title 10 carries a fine of $100-$500 or up to 90 days in jail for a first offense, rising to at least $500 and 10 days' jail for a third.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. Louis ban specific dog breeds?
What must I do if my dog is declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
How St. Louis compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare St. Louis to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
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