How Many Dogs Can You Have in North Dakota?
North Dakota doesn’t have a statewide limit on how many dogs you can own.
Written by Bee Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
While North Dakota doesn’t have a statewide limit on how many dogs you can own, certain municipalities may have their own limits and restrictions.
Every dog lover has a fantasy of owning as many dogs as possible, as long as they can care for them of course. North Dakota residents are in luck because the state places no limit on how many dogs you can own. Certain cities, however, may have their own specific laws around the legal number of canine companions.
Here to give you the rundown on North Dakota dog ownership laws is
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broker and super app. In this article, we’ll cover how many dogs you can own in North Dakota, the state’s leash laws, and the penalties for breaking them. RECOMMENDED
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Does North Dakota have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?
The number of dogs you are allowed to own in North Dakota depends on where you live. Specific municipalities have their own laws around ownership, leashes, and kennels.
In Fargo, the number of dogs and cats can’t exceed six in total. In Bismarck, an owner is allowed only three dogs and cats over the age of six months. In Grand Forks, owners can have up to six cats and dogs are allowed, but no more than three can be dogs.
Make sure to research dog ownership laws in your area, because you may be able to have more depending on your circumstances. Like in Bismarck, where you can apply for a
special pet license
to have more than 4 dogs and cats. MORE: How do I get car insurance for about $50 a month?
Are there any dog breeds outlawed in North Dakota?
Some municipalities in North Dakota also have Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) banning or restricting certain breeds of dogs. Commonly banned breeds are pit bulls, Dobermans, and rottweilers. You can look up specific municipalities by using the
BSL Census map
to see which breeds are banned in which places. Many states have specific regulations for dogs that are dangerous in their behavior. Unlike many others, North Dakota doesn’t operate under a “Dangerous Dog Statute”.
North Dakota does have a “nuisance” clause, in which dogs that continuously harass or menace people in public spaces can be considered a public nuisance.
What are the leash laws in North Dakota?
While North Dakota does not have a statewide leash law, certain municipalities have their own restrictions around leashing your dog.
For example, in Fargo, you’re required to leash your dog in public except in designated dog parks. Grand Forks also has a leash law, as well as a restriction on free-roaming pets. Pets in Grand Forks must be confined to the owner's property by a suitable fence.
Leash laws are meant to keep residents safe and unperturbed by odor and noise. Breaking leash laws can result in consequences for both owners and their dogs.
Penalties for breaking dog laws in North Dakota
Aside from laws that prohibit dogs from being public nuisances, under common law, an owner is liable for any personal property damage or injuries done by their dog. Extreme cases of injury or death may require the dog to be put down.
The public nuisance statute involves a legal process for making a complaint. Complaints can be made to the district or municipal judge that will inform the owner that their dog has become a nuisance. If no action is taken, the owner can be summoned before the judge, issued fines, and even have their dog impounded.
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