Bozeman, MT Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

The dangerous or vicious animal definition sits in section 8.02.010 of Chapter 8, Article 2 (Animal Control). It reaches an animal that attacks, bites or injures human beings, domestic animals or livestock without adequate provocation, and an animal that, because of its nature, temperament, training or other characteristics, would be an unreasonable danger to human life or property if not kept, maintained or confined in a safe and secure manner. The test is behavior and risk, and the definition names no breed.

The operating rules are in other sections of the same article. Section 8.02.080(E) requires every dangerous or vicious animal to be confined by its owner or authorized agent within a building or secure enclosure. Off the premises, it must be securely muzzled and restrained with a chain having a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and not more than three feet in length, or caged. Anyone harboring such an animal has an affirmative duty to confine it so no other person has access to it.

Section 8.02.130 lets the animal control officer or any law enforcement officer take up and impound a dangerous or vicious dog by appropriate means, including a tranquilizer gun if necessary. Under section 8.02.140(F), the owner of an animal impounded as dangerous or vicious must petition the municipal court for a hearing. The court hears evidence on whether the animal should be declared dangerous or vicious and sets conditions. If no petition is filed within four days of the impound, the animal becomes city property, and it is not released until the hearing is held. Section 8.02.150 bars sale or adoption of an animal the court has deemed dangerous or vicious without disclosure of the behavior behind the declaration. Section 8.02.170(A)(7) authorizes destruction of such an animal only upon order of the municipal court. A biting animal is also quarantined for ten days under section 8.02.100, at the owner's expense.