How Many Dogs Can You Have in Indiana?
Indiana does not have a state-wide limit on the number of dogs you can own, although some counties will limit you to three dogs.
Written by Nick Kunze
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
There is no state-wide limit on how many dogs you can own in
Indiana
. However, some counties limit dog ownership, ranging from the number of dogs you can own to breed restrictions. In most of Indiana, you can have as many dogs as you want! There are only certain counties and towns that place limits on dog ownership. However, how many dogs you can own is just one possible dog-related legal restriction in Indiana. There are also illegal breeds, leash laws, and dog bite laws to think about!
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Does Indiana have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?
While there are no state-wide laws limiting the number of dogs you can own, there are certain counties in Indiana with specific laws regarding how many dogs you can own. A common ordinance found in many cities and counties is the three and three law—meaning you are limited to only owning three dogs and three cats.
Hamilton County and the city of
Fowler
are examples of this—each limits an owner to no more than three dogs. To own over three dogs, you’d need a special permit and may be considered a kennel, which could leave you open to cleanliness inspections of your home.Some cities have also removed limits for dog ownership. In 2021,
Lafayette
’s City Council voted in favor of removing dog ownership limits of three per household.Even if your city doesn’t have any ordinances regarding the number of dogs you can own, you’ll need to check with your landlord or homeowners association (if you have one). They may have specific rules regarding the number of pets you can have in your home.
The only state-wide law regarding the number of dogs is for breeders—anyone who owns over twenty sexually active female dogs might have a commercial breeder’s license.
Are there any dog breeds outlawed in Indiana?
While there are no state-wide bans on certain dog breeds, there are some towns in Indiana with specific breed bans:
- Kirklin has a ban on pit bulls, rottweilers, chow chows, and crossbreeds
- Oxford has a ban on pit bulls
- Fowler has a ban on pit bulls, rottweilers, and chow chows
While some towns don’t ban breeds, there are places where certain dog breeds aren’t allowed, or there are special restrictions in place. One example is the town of
Schererville
—pit bulls are banned from all dog parks. And in Greendale, several dog breeds, including pit bulls, rottweilers, and Akitas, have special restrictions. If you own a “vicious” breed in Greendale, you’re required to follow specific guidelines, such as fence heights and leash lengths.
Before getting a dog, check with your town or county to see if there are any dog breed bans or restrictions in your hometown.
MORE: Can you get pet insurance for a pet with preexisting conditions?
What are the leash laws in Indiana?
There is no state-wide leash law in Indiana, meaning your dog can be off-leash with no legal consequences. However, leashing up your dog is usually wise to protect your pooch, other dogs, and your neighbors.
Towns and counties can set their own leash laws, however, so double-check your local laws before letting your dog roam off-leash. Often, most towns require dogs to be on no more than a six-foot leash in public areas.
If you’re caught breaking your town or county’s ordinance, you’ll likely face a fine.
Dog bite laws in Indiana
One dog-related topic that Indiana has specific laws on is a dog bite or attack. This is broken down in the Indiana legislature,
IC 15-20-1-3
.If a person who is “acting peaceably” is bitten by a dog, the dog owner is liable for all damage caused. This is true even if the dog has never previously displayed “vicious behavior.”
A dog bite is a misdemeanor (which is a criminal offense) if the dog owner “recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fails to take reasonable steps to restrain the dog,” or if the attack is on someone else’s property.
If the dog attack results in death, it becomes a felony.
Where to find affordable insurance in Indiana
While you might consider your dog’s bark to be a rock-solid home security system, your pooch can’t protect your house from everything. To fully protect your house, you’ll need
homeowners insurance
. If you want help finding a great policy at an affordable price, you need to download insurance broker Jerry
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