CHAPTER 6-7.   VICIOUS, AGGRESSIVE, OR DESTRUCTIVE ANIMALS AND BITING ANIMALS

Ordinance 2021.005 revised chapter 6-7 by adding “aggressive” and “biting animals” to the title, amending and renumbering existing sections, and adding new sections 6-7-3, 6-7-4, 6-7-5, 6-7-8, and 6-7-9

6-7-1 Keeping vicious, aggressive, or destructive animals prohibited; exceptions; classification

A.   It is unlawful for any person to keep, control, harbor or otherwise have under control any animal which is vicious, aggressive, or destructive.

B.   This section does not apply to zoos, wild animal parks or animal shelters.

C.   This section does not apply to persons who are in compliance with an order of the town magistrate issued pursuant to this title or an order issued by another jurisdiction.

D.   Violation of this section is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Ordinance 2018.004 expanded paragraph B

Ordinance 2021.005 added “aggressive” to the section title and paragraph A, and restructured paragraphs B and C as paragraphs B, C, and D

6-7-2 Evaluation of animals

A.   Whenever the town enforcement agent has reason to believe an animal is vicious, aggressive, or destructive, the town enforcement agent may conduct an investigation and/or evaluation of the animal, whether the animal is impounded or not.

B.   The town enforcement agent shall develop guidelines to determine if an animal is vicious, aggressive, or destructive.

C.   If the town enforcement agent finds that an animal is vicious, the provisions of chapter 6-8 regarding impoundment shall apply.

D.   If the town enforcement agent finds that an animal is aggressive or destructive, the provisions of chapter 6-8 regarding impoundment may apply. An aggressive or destructive animal may remain at the home with the consent of and in a manner prescribed by the town enforcement agent, if:

   1.   The town enforcement agent finds confinement at the home is not a contributing factor; and

   2.   The owner of the animal signs a temporary confinement order promising to keep the animal confined at the home pending the disposition of all legal proceedings.

E.   The town enforcement agent will not conduct an investigation and/or evaluation for biting incidents that occur in a dog park, unless it involves serious physical injury, as defined in A.R.S § 13-105(39), to a human being.

Ordinance 2018.004 added section 6-7-2 as section 6-7-5

Ordinance 2021.005 renumbered and amended the section and added paragraph D

Ordinance 2023.006 amended paragraph A of this section

Ordinance 2023.038 added paragraph E