Glendale, AZ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Glendale's vicious-animal scheme is behavior-based, not breed-based: Section 6-1 defines a vicious animal as one that has attacked without reasonable provocation, approaches people in a vicious or terrorizing manner, or is kept in whole or part for animal fighting. Under Section 6-21, a law enforcement agent, animal control officer, or peace officer can seize and impound a suspected vicious animal for up to 72 hours on written probable cause, with notice delivered to the presumed owner; the animal is released after 72 hours unless a petition asking the city court to declare it vicious is filed.

Section 6-22 requires the court to set a hearing within 10 days of that petition, with the burden on the petitioner to prove viciousness. If the court finds the animal vicious by a preponderance of the evidence, Section 6-23 authorizes a menu of sanctions: a six-foot leash and commercial muzzle whenever the animal is outside confinement, a locked and secure pen meeting zoning and building standards, mandatory microchip implantation at the owner's expense, a posted three-inch "vicious animal" warning sign, spay/neuter or other modification, court-set insurance or indemnification, and reimbursement of all impoundment costs.

The court must also require the owner to report any change of the animal's location or ownership to Maricopa County Animal Control. Noncompliance with a court order for 30 days terminates the owner's interest in the animal and can lead to its destruction, and Section 6-25 exempts only animals trained and used by a law enforcement agency.