Dangerous Dogs: Determination
The primary objective of WCRAS is to ensure the safety of our community from issues related to domestic animals. Dangerous or vicious dogs can pose a serious threat to the well-being of citizens in Washoe County. The increasing number of unprovoked dog attacks on children, adults, and other domestic animals is a major concern, and WCRAS takes such cases seriously. To enhance public safety, regulating dogs that pose a threat within our community is imperative. WCRAS provides various services to address problems and regulate dogs exhibiting dangerous or vicious behavior, including:
- Responding to and investigating reports of aggressive dogs
- Investigating animal bites
- Addressing stray dog complaints
- Verifying compliance with mandatory rabies vaccination and dog licensing requirements
- Assisting victims in petitioning to determine an offending dog as Dangerous or Vicious, thereby obtaining requirements and restrictions associated with keeping such a dog WCC 55.750.
What Can Constitute a Dangerous Dog?
A dog may be declared dangerous if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, has behaved menacingly to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend themselves against substantial bodily harm, while off the owner's property or not confined to a cage, pen, or vehicle.
- Without being provoked, killed or inflicted substantial bodily harm upon a human being on public or private property, regardless of the dog's location.
- Without being provoked, killed or injured any domestic animal while off its own property.
- If the dog was used in the commission of a crime, a law enforcement agency may petition to declare the dog dangerous.
What Can Constitute a Vicious Dog?
A dog may be declared vicious if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Without provocation, it killed or inflicted substantial bodily harm upon a human.