Home » Departments and Divisions » South Bend Animal Resource Center » Ordinances and Reporting 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. Reporting Monthly Intake/Outcome of Animals August 2018 Intake by Species August 2018 Intake by Type August 2018 Outcome Adoption August 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Species August 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Subtype August 2018 Outcome Rescue August 2018 Outcome RTO September 2018 Intake by Species September 2018 Intake by Type September 2018 Outcome Adoption September 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Species September 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Subtype September 2018 Outcome Rescue September 2018 Outcome RTO October 2018 Animal Intake by Species October 2018 Animal Intake by Type October 2018 Outcome Adoption October 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Species October 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Subtype October 2018 Outcome Rescue October 2018 Outcome RTO November 2018 Intake by Species November 2018 Intake by Type November 2018 Outcome Adoption November 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Species November 2018 Outcome Euthanasia by Subtype November 2018 Outcome Rescue November 2018 Outcome RTO Animal Welfare Commission Meeting Minutes South Bend Animal Welfare Commission Regular Minutes-November 1-2018 South Bend Animal Welfare Commission Special Meeting Minutes-November 29-2018 VIEW ALL NEWS