Dangerous Dogs

Angel's Law

Angel's Law (City Ordinance - Chapter 9, Article 17) was established to protect the public, especially young chlidren and others unable to protect themselves from vicious attacks, from the threat to health and safety that dangerous dogs present. The City Council found that owners who allow their dangerous dogs to run loose in the city or fail to safely and humanely restrain those dogs on their property are criminally and civilly liable for the harm those dogs cause.

The ordinance focuses on three items: Potentially Dangerous Dogs, Dangerous Dogs, and Irresponsible Owners.
Note: Police dogs are not included in the definitions.

• Potentially Dangerous Dog: A dog capable of causing serious harm to humans or other animals and observed at large by any person or observed by any person on the property where the dog is kept under conditions leading any reasonable person to conclude that the owner has not taken adequate precautions to prevent the dog from being able to escape or young children from being able to enter.

• Dangerous Dog: A dog that has caused serious injury (Any physical injury that results in broken bones or lacerations that require multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery) or was previously designated as a potentially dangerous dog and subsequently (1) causes injury to a person or animal that is less severe than a serious injury, (2) is observed by any person chasing or menacing a person or animal in an aggressive manner and without provocation or (3) is impounded at Animal Welfare two or more times.

• Irresponsible Owner: A dog owner deemed incapable or unable to safely or humanely own a dog.

Names/Descriptions and Locations

The ordinance allows a list of dangerous dogs, along with the address of the property where located, to be posted on this website.