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, it behaved menacingly, to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend themselves against substantial bodily harm or defend their animal against serious injury, when the dog was
- Off the premises of its owner or keeper, or
- Not confined in a cage, pen or vehicle;
- Without provocation, it seriously injured an animal while the dog was off the premises of its owner or keeper. Examples of serious injuries include, but are not limited to: lacerations requiring sutures, staples or glue; internal injuries requiring surgery; and broken bones.
- Without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, it bit a human being, while the dog was off the premises of its owner or keeper.
- A dog may also be declared dangerous by a law enforcement agency if it is used in the commission of a crime by its owner or keeper.
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 being on public or private property; whether on or off the premises of its owner or keeper;
- Without provocation, it killed an animal while the dog was off the premises of its owner or keeper; or
- After the dog has been declared dangerous, the dog continued the behavior described under what constitutes a dangerous dog.