Ordinances and Reporting

Animal Welfare Municipal Code

These laws protect citizens from dangerous or nuisance animals and provide for basic animal care requirements. Only the most common problems are outlined below. Please read Chapter 5 of the South Bend Municipal Code for all pet ownership ordinances.

Controlling Animals

Animal owners must comply with the following ordinance:

Dogs and cats may not run at large. Your pet must be on a leash when it is off your property.
All dogs and cats over 6 months of age must have a current pet license.
All dogs, cats and ferrets over 3 months of age must have a current rabies vaccination.
Allowing a dog to disturb neighbors by barking is not permitted.
Pet owners must remove any animal waste deposited by their animal on public or private property.

Neglect Laws

All pets must be provided with adequate shelter, food, and water.
All pets must be provided with necessary medical care in addition to the required rabies vaccination.
All pet areas must be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
No pet shall be tied to a rope, chain or cord fastened directly to the neck. Choker collars used for training need to be replaced with a leather or nylon collar immediately after training. Please see our Tethering Brochure for more information.
No pet shall be left unattended in a vehicle when conditions constitute a health hazard.

Cruelty Laws

No person shall beat, cruelly treat, neglect, torment, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse an animal.
Dog and cock fighting are illegal in South Bend, and is a felony in the State of Indiana.

Nuisance Animal Laws

Excessive barking is a violation. Owners must immediately attend to their pet when barking begins.
Pet waste must be cleaned up daily.
Walking your pet? Carry potty bags to pick up all waste.
Pets must be restrained at all times.