Animal Ordinances in Dearborn County, IN (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Dearborn County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Dearborn County, Indiana, the Board of Commissioners' animal chapter defines LIVESTOCK as horses, cows, goats, pigs or any other four-legged animal used for pleasure or profit, and it states that fowl are expressly included. Chickens fall under the same care duties as horses and goats, and Chapter 90 prints no flock cap.
Dearborn County, Indiana Chickens and Livestock Rules
Light RestrictionsDearborn County Code § 90.02; § 90.03
LIVESTOCK. ... Includes horses, cows, goats, pigs or any other four-legged animal, excluding dogs and cats, used for pleasure or profit. Fowl are expressly included within this definition. ... (A) Every owner of every animal kept in Dearborn County shall see that such animal: (1) Is kept in a clean and sanitary and healthy manner and is not confined so as to be forced to stand, sit or lie in it...
Dog Leash Laws
Dearborn County, Indiana makes it unlawful for an owner or harborer to let any animal run at large, collar and tag or not. Under § 90.17(C) a dog must be enclosed, tethered, or on a leash under a competent person's control. A violation is a Class C infraction with a fine of up to $500.
Dearborn County, Indiana Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsDearborn County Code § 90.17
(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner or harborer of any animal, with the exception of community cats, to allow such animal to run at large, whether wearing a collar and tag or not, within the incorporated or unincorporated areas of Dearborn County. ... (C) It shall be the duty of every owner or harborer of any dog to ensure that the dog is kept under restraint and that reasonable care and pre...
Breed Restrictions
Dearborn County, Indiana names no restricted breed. Instead §§ 90.18 and 90.19 let an animal control officer designate a dog vicious and dangerous based on conduct, then require a second perimeter fence, muzzling off the property, a sign, and liability insurance of not less than $100,000 within 14 days of notice.
Dearborn County, Indiana Vicious and Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsDearborn County Code § 90.18
In addition to the requirements for the restraint of animals found in § 90.17, the following additional regulations apply to dogs that have been determined to be vicious and dangerous dogs. ... (E) No owner or harborer of a vicious and dangerous dog shall fail to obtain liability insurance with an insurer authorized to write liability insurance in the State of Indiana providing coverage in each...
Exotic Pets
In Dearborn County, Indiana, an exotic animal is any animal native to a foreign country or not native to the United States, and it can be possessed only with proper licensing from state and federal authorities. The owner or harborer must also notify Dearborn County Animal Control. A violation is a Class B infraction with fines up to $1,000 per occurrence.
Exotic Animals in Dearborn County, Indiana
Significant RestrictionsDearborn County Code §§ 90.02, 90.23
EXOTIC ANIMAL. ... Any animal that is native to a foreign country or of foreign origin or character, is not native to the United States, or was introduced from abroad. This term specifically includes animals such as, but not limited to, lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, camels, antelope, anteaters, kangaroos, and water buffalo, and species of foreign domestic cattle, such as Ankole, Gayal, an...
Cat Rules
Dearborn County, Indiana requires no license for cats, but a cat counts as a community cat only if it is ear tipped, sterilized and vaccinated against rabies at least once. Caregivers carry the duties, and owned cats still cannot run at large. Violating § 90.20 is a Class C infraction with a fine of up to $500.
Dearborn County, Indiana Cat and Community Cat Rules
Light RestrictionsDearborn County Code § 90.20
(A) The following provisions shall apply to community cats: (1) For a cat to be considered a "community cat", the cat must be ear tipped, sterilized, and have received at least one vaccination against rabies. (2) If the provisions of § 90.20(A)(1) have been followed, the cat will be considered a "community cat" and is exempt from any licensing, stray, abandonment, or at large provisions directe...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Dearborn County, Indiana strongly advises sterilizing every dog and cat over six months old, but only adopted animals face a mandate under § 90.21(B): an adult must be spayed or neutered within one month of adoption, and a juvenile by six months of age. Breeding stock is exempt.
Dearborn County, Indiana Spay and Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsDearborn County Code § 90.21
(A) In an effort to decrease the overpopulation of homeless, unwanted dogs and cats, it is strongly advised that each dog and cat over the age of six months which is kept in Dearborn County be sterilized and rendered incapable of reproducing by a licensed veterinarian, unless a veterinarian has certified in writing that it would not be in the animal's best medical interest, but in no case later...
Pet Store Rules
Dearborn County, Indiana does not ban retail sales of dogs or cats. A pet shop is a commercial animal establishment engaging in the retail sale of animals, and § 90.22 requires an isolation area for sick animals, no sale of diseased animals, space to stand and turn around, and inspection at any time. Violations are Class B infractions up to $1,000.
Dearborn County, Indiana Pet Shop Standards
Some RestrictionsDearborn County Code § 90.02; § 90.22(A)
PET SHOP. A commercial animal establishment engaging in the retail sale of animals. ... (2) The establishment shall provide an isolation area for animals that are sick or diseased to be placed in so as not to spread disease to healthy animals; ... (5) The establishment will not sell animals which are unwearied or diseased; ... (7) The establishment must provide each animal with sufficient space...
Pet Groomer Rules
Dearborn County, Indiana lists a pet grooming shop as a commercial animal establishment, so it must be at a permanent building or facility permitted by the applicable zoning laws and must let the animal control officer inspect at any and all times. Violating § 90.22 is a Class B infraction up to $1,000.
Dearborn County, Indiana Pet Grooming Shop Rules
Some RestrictionsDearborn County Code § 90.02; § 90.22(A)(8)(h), (9)
COMMERCIAL ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENT. ... Any pet shop, auction, flea market, riding school or stable, pet grooming shop, zoological park, circus, kennel, or veterinary hospital. ... (6) The establishment shall permit the animal control officer to inspect, at any and all times, the premises where the animals are kept; ... (h) Pet grooming shop; ... (9) All commercial animal establishments, other tha...
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