As a responsible dog ownership community, it is essential that we understand the rules and regulations in place regarding our pups. These rules help to keep our dogs – in addition to people and other animals – safe and out of danger. While some of the laws may seem like straightforward common sense, being aware of specific dog legislation ensures that you won’t face any consequences for contravening the law (even if the contravention is inadvertent).
There are dog laws that are set at the federal level (for example, how service dog legislation is governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)), while others are set at a state or city level. Each state has its own nuances when it comes to dog laws – and Indiana is no different.
In this article, we’re going to review dog laws that pertain to the state of Indiana. Whether you’re a lifelong resident of the state who has owned dogs for your whole life, or you’re weighing up moving here with your four-legged friends, you can refer back to this article for guidance and information on dog laws in Indiana.
How many dogs can you own in Indiana?
At a state level, there is no limit on the number of dogs you can own in Indiana. However, some counties, cities and towns have local ordinances which do restrict the number of dogs you can own. For example, in Hamilton County, IN, there is a limit of three (3) dogs before owners are considered to be running a kennel and will be subject to cleanliness, animal welfare and disease control inspections. Homeowners associations (HOAs) may have their own rules governing how many dogs can be owned in a specified residential area, such as a subdivision.
Additionally, if you own more than twenty (20) unaltered female dogs over the age of 12 months, you and your property must be registered under Indiana’s commercial dog breeder law.
Do dogs have to be registered in Indiana?
Many local jurisdictions within Indiana do operate a pet licensing system. For example, the City of Batesville does require that any dog or cat must be registered with the City and a pet license must be obtained. Typically, it is also necessary for dogs in most areas to be vaccinated against rabies if they are older than six months old.
Does Indiana have leash laws?
No, there is no statewide mandate on keeping a dog leashed. However, it should be noted that many jurisdictions do require a dog to be restrained or under control if they are outside the owner’s property. The easiest to restrain or control a dog is, of course, with a leash. In addition, there is a statewide ‘reasonable control’ statute (IC 15-20-1-4) which states the following:
“An owner of a dog commits a Class D infraction if the owner of the dog allows the dog to stray beyond the owner’s premises, unless the dog is under the reasonable control of an individual or the dog is engaged in lawful hunting and accompanied by the owner or a custodian of the dog.”
What about barking ordinances?
As is the case with many states, Indiana does not regulate noise at the state level. Instead, towns and municipalities set the rules on acceptable noise levels and durations. These ordinances may not only apply to dogs or other animals, but overall decibel levels or restriction on noise after a certain time. However, there are some instances of specific ordinances relating to barking. For example, Indianapolis Sec 531-204 states:
“It shall be unlawful for a person to own or keep any animal which by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, screeching, other vocalization or otherwise shall cause serious annoyance or disturbance to persons in the vicinity.”
In Indianapolis, a violation of this law will, in the first instance, result in a minimum $25 fine. Persistent contravention could lead to the animal being seized by local authorities.
Dog bite laws in Indiana
Indiana’s dog bite laws and the requisite punishments can be a little complex to understand. Essentially, the following points are what you need to understand:
Under Indiana’s “One Bite” rule, dog owners are not liable for the first bite on a person – unless that person was carrying out official duties, such as a postal worker, police officer, or a government official. If it is a neighbor, friend or member of the public, dog owners are not criminally liable if they have acted in good faith and there is no previous bite history.
After the first bite covered by the “One Bite” rule, the penalties can escalate and increase in severity depending on the injuries sustained by the victim. If bodily injury is sustained, this is a Class C misdemeanor (60 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines). If serious bodily injury is sustained, it becomes a Class B misdemeanor (180 days in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines). If the victim dies as the result of a dog bite, the dog’s owner will be charged with a felony which carries fines up to $10,000 and between one and six years in prison.
Charges may be dropped if the dog was provoked, or the recipient of the bite was trespassing at the time.
Animal cruelty laws
Indiana law prohibits cruelty, abandonment and neglect of animals, including physical torture or abuse. There are significant penalties in place for anyone who engages in cruel behavior towards dogs, including engaging in dog fighting.
Service dog laws
Protection and provision for service dog owners is in place at the federal level, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This protects service dog owners from discrimination and ensures their service animal is able to accompany them into places where pet dogs would not typically be permitted. As is the case elsewhere in the United States, emotional support animals (ESAs) are not treated as service dogs in Indiana, and are not afforded the same privileges.
In conclusion
Whether you’re wondering about Indiana’s dog bite laws, or thinking about taking your pup to one of the many dog-friendly places in Indianapolis, familiarizing yourself with the laws of the land is always encouraged! It only takes a few minutes but this knowledge can inform you if situations arise when you and your dog are out in public.
Please note that the information in this article does not constitute legal advice.