Potentially
Dangerous Dogs
AFV
takes very seriously
our obligation
and duty to
investigate
incidents that
involve the
possession of
potentially
dangerous dogs.
The decisions
made by Animal
Control on behalf
of the citizens
ensure the health,
safety and welfare
of the public.
Food
& Agriculture
Code 31601.
The
Legislature
finds and declares
all of the following:
(a)
Potentially
dangerous and
vicious dogs
have become
a serious and
widespread threat
to the safety
and welfare
of citizens
of this state.
In recent years
they have assaulted
without provocation
and seriously
injured numerous
individuals,
particularly
children, and
have killed
numerous dogs.
Many of these
attacks have
occurred in
public places.
(b)
The number and
severity of
these attacks
are attributable
to the failure
of owners to
register, confine,
and properly
control vicious
and potentially
dangerous dogs.
Please
be aware that
Food & Agriculture
Code 31602 defines
a "Potentially
Dangerous Dog"
as:
(a) Any dog
which, when
unprovoked,
on two separate
occasions within
the prior 36-month
period, engages
in any behavior
that requires
a defensive
action by any
person to prevent
bodily injury
when the person
and the dog
are off the
property of
the owner or
keeper of the
dog.
(b)
Any dog which,
when unprovoked,
bites a person
causing a less
severe injury
than as defined
in Section 31604.
(c)
Any dog which,
when unprovoked,
on two separate
occasions within
the prior 36-month
period, has
killed, seriously
bitten, inflicted
injury, or otherwise
caused injury
attacking a
domestic animal
off the property
of the owner
or keeper of
the dog.
Food
& Agriculture
Code 31603 defines
a vicious dog
as:
(a) Any dog
seized under
Section 599aa
of the Penal
Code and upon
the sustaining
of a conviction
of the owner
or keeper under
subdivision
(a) of Section
597.5 of the
Penal Code.
(b)
Any dog which,
when unprovoked,
in an aggressive
manner, inflicts
severe injury
on or kills
a human being.
(c)
Any dog previously
determined to
be and currently
listed as a
potentially
dangerous dog
which, after
its owner or
keeper has been
notified of
this determination,
continues the
behavior described
in Section 31602
or is maintained
in violation
of Section 31641,
31642 or 31643.
Potentially
Dangerous Dog
List
For
the cities of
Lake Elsinore,
Canyon Lake,
Murrieta, Temecula,
Wildomar