Owner responsibility for animal attacks.
Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 531-109
in effectSec. 531-109. - Owner responsibility for animal attacks.
(a) An owner or keeper of an animal commits a violation of the Code if that animal attacks and injures a person who did not provoke the animal prior to the attack.
(b) It shall be a defense to prosecution under this section if:
(1) The attack occurred in an enclosure in which the animal was confined without means of escape, there was posted at the main entrance of the enclosure a notice to beware of the animal, and the person attacked entered the enclosure without invitation; or
(2) The person was attacked during the commission or attempted commission of a criminal act on the property of the owner or keeper of the animal.
(c) A person who violates any provision of this section shall be punishable as provided in section 103-3 of this Code; provided, however, a fine imposed for any such violation shall not be less than five hundred dollars ($500.00). If the violation results in the animal causing serious injury to any person, the court upon request shall order the animal forfeited and/or destroyed.
(d) The liability imposed by this section shall not reduce, substitute for or in any manner be deemed to be in derogation of the rights accorded victims of dog bite injury or property damages as provided for at IC 15-5-12, et seq. or by common law.
(G.O. 97, 2004, § 2; G.O. 94, 2006, § 1; G.O. 86, 2008, § 2; G.O. 116, 2009, § 1)
Source: Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County, Revised Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/in/indianapolis_-_marion_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIPUHEWE_CH531AN_ARTIGEPR_S531-109OWREANATFetched: 10/27/2026