Bonner County, ID Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

The vicious animal definition in § 10-120 and § 10-601 names no breed. An animal qualifies if it has twice, within a forty eight month period, bitten, attacked or otherwise caused injury to a person engaged in lawful activity, or has once attacked or bitten a person engaged in lawful activity, causing death or severe injury. Under § 10-601 B and C no animal is deemed vicious if the injured person was committing a trespass or other tort on the owner's premises, was tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal, or was committing or attempting a crime, or if the animal was protecting or defending a person from a physical attack.

The declaration runs through the sheriff's department, called the department. Under § 10-610 it makes a preliminary declaration, notifies the owner by certified mail and first class mail, and the declaration is effective on mailing while the animal stays in secure confinement. The owner has ten days to request a hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. With no request, the declaration becomes permanent automatically. If a hearing is requested, the board holds it within fourteen days and advises the owner of its findings within ten days afterward. An impounded animal's owner pays board, impound and quarantine fees regardless of the outcome.

Section 10-620 then sets the conditions of ownership. The enclosure must be a locked pen or structure with minimum dimensions of five feet by ten feet, a secure top and secure sides, with sides embedded no less than two feet if there is no secured bottom, plus a secondary fence or barrier. The owner posts a warning sign legible from the closest public access and a symbolic warning sign for children, allows inspection at any time, and notifies the department immediately if the animal escapes. A change of owner or residence needs written notice at least fourteen days ahead, and the department inspects the new premises first. A declared animal cannot be taken into any public place other than a veterinarian's office. Section 10-603 deems a vicious animal a public nuisance for the remainder of its life.