Story County, IA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

09 makes it unlawful for any person to harbor or keep a "vicious dog" anywhere in the county and defines the term entirely by behavior: an animal that has attacked a human or domestic animal without provocation, a dog with a history or disposition to attack or endanger people or animals, a dog trained for dog fighting or animal baiting, an animal that causes serious injury, or a dog trained to attack on command, except dogs used by the Sheriff's Department, police, or the armed forces.

Any vicious dog found in the county must either be kept inside a residence in a secure place and removed by the county within 12 hours, or be impounded and may be humanely destroyed. 08: if an Animal Control Officer or peace officer believes an animal was involved in a bite or disturbance, the animal can be impounded, and the ACO must decide within seven working days whether to declare it dangerous. A dangerous-animal declaration comes with written conditions for continued ownership, and the owner can appeal within five working days by filing a written notice with the Animal Control Department for a hearing, or, after that hearing, appeal further to the District Associate Court within five working days. Nowhere in Chapter 45 does the county name or restrict a specific breed; every provision keys off documented conduct.