Davis County, UT Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

010 defines a 'dangerous animal' as one that is dangerously aggressive or uncontrollable, including any animal that has bitten or attacked a person or animal with or without provocation, or one previously declared 'potentially dangerous' that later bites, attacks or endangers someone, or one that violates restrictions the Animal Care Department already imposed. A 'potentially dangerous animal' is one that chases, attacks, threatens or approaches a person or animal in a menacing way, has a known propensity to attack, or is reasonably believed capable of causing injury based on documented conduct.

050, the owner of a potentially dangerous animal must use all reasonable means to keep it from injuring anyone and must have it microchipped at the owner's expense; the department can also impose specific housing restrictions. 060 requires a declared dangerous animal to stay confined indoors or in a securely locked, escape-proof pen with a top and sides, protected from the elements and built so the animal cannot dig out; whenever the animal leaves that enclosure it must be muzzled and under an adult's immediate control on a restraint device.

The Director of Animal Care can immediately seize a dangerous animal found outside a proper enclosure or in violation of imposed restrictions. 050 lets the department declare an animal 'vicious' after a witnessed incident and, if the owner won't consent to euthanasia, seek a court order to confirm the animal is vicious and authorize humane euthanization; if the court agrees, the owner pays all impoundment and euthanasia costs.