New restrictions to be proposed for backyard breeders in Marion Co.

INDIANAPOLIS – New restrictions could be coming for backyard breeders in Marion County.

On Monday, the Indianapolis City-County Council will introduce a new ordinance that would start a database for owners who don’t spay or neuter their animals.

The ordinance would apply to dog and cat owners, but not commercial backyard breeders.

Under the proposal, the owner of any “unaltered” dog older than six months old will need to register on the Marion County Unaltered Animal Registry. By joining the registry, the animal owner agrees to certain terms.

Each dog must get a veterinary exam once a year and no female dog can breed if the vet doesn’t declare her healthy enough. The proposal states that no female dog should have more than one litter every 18 months and no more than six litters in her lifetime.

The animal owner is responsible for updating the births of each litter of dogs and the name, address and phone number of each buyer.

If any unregistered breeder violates the code, they could face a fine of $150 animal if steps to follow the animal registry code are not met.

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