US City, State & Federal Dog Laws

California Food and Agricultural Code
Division 14. Regulation and Licensing of Dogs

Chapter 9. Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Dogs - Article 3. Disposition of Potentially Dangerous or Vicious Dogs - Sections 31641-31646

31641.  All potentially dangerous dogs shall be properly licensed
and vaccinated.  The licensing authority shall include the
potentially dangerous designation in the registration records of the
dog, either after the owner or keeper of the dog has agreed to the
designation or the court or hearing entity has determined the
designation applies to the dog.  The city or county may charge a
potentially dangerous dog fee in addition to the regular licensing
fee to provide for the increased costs of maintaining the records of
the dog.


31642.  A potentially dangerous dog, while on the owner's property,
shall, at  all times, be kept indoors, or in a securely fenced yard
from which the dog cannot escape, and into which children cannot
trespass.  A potentially dangerous animal may be off the owner's
premises only if it is restrained by a substantial leash, of
appropriate length, and if it is under the control  of a responsible
adult.



31643.  If the dog in question dies, or is sold, transferred, or
permanently removed from the city or county where the owner or keeper
resides, the owner of a potentially dangerous dog shall notify the
animal control department of the changed condition and new location
of the dog in writing within two working days.



31644.  If there are no additional instances of the behavior
described in Section 31602 within a 36-month period from the date of
designation as a potentially dangerous dog, the dog shall be removed
from the list of potentially dangerous dogs.  The dog may, but is not
required to be, removed from the list of potentially dangerous dogs
prior to the expiration of the 36-month period if the owner or keeper
of the dog demonstrates to the animal control department that
changes in circumstances or measures taken by the owner or keeper,
such as training of the dog, have mitigated the risk to the public
safety.


31645.  (a) A dog determined to be a vicious dog may be destroyed by
the animal control department when it is found, after proceedings
conducted under Article 2 (commencing with Section 31621), that the
release of the dog would create a significant threat to the public
health, safety, and welfare.
   (b) If it is determined that a dog found to be vicious shall not
be destroyed, the judicial authority shall impose conditions upon the
ownership of the dog that protect the public health, safety, and
welfare.
   (c) Any enclosure that is required pursuant to subdivision (b)
shall meet the requirements of Section 31605.



31646.  The owner of a dog determined to be a vicious dog may be
prohibited by the city or county from owning, possessing,
controlling, or having custody of any dog for a period of up to three
years, when it is found, after proceedings conducted under Article 2
(commencing with Section 31621), that ownership or possession of a
dog by that person would create a significant threat to the public
health, safety, and welfare.