La Plata County, CO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 10-30(VII) is the county's dangerous animal rule. It is unlawful to own or harbor a vicious animal or dangerous animal in La Plata County except as the regulations provide. The confinement duty applies to any animal a court has found to be vicious or dangerous. The section contains no list of breeds; breed appears only as one identifying field on the registration form.

Registration is annual, with the La Plata County Humane Society designated as the registration agency under § 10-11, and the owner pays the registration fee set in § 10-50. The owner must supply the owner's name, home address and telephone numbers, the animal's name, age, sex, species, breed and physical description, an alternate contact, a copy of the court order finding the animal vicious or dangerous and any later orders, and current dog license information where applicable.

When the animal is outside the owner's primary residence it must be confined in a kennel, run or pen approved by La Plata County animal control officers, or be on a leash no longer than four feet under the direct control of a person at least eighteen years of age. Any added safety restrictions ordered by the court that made the finding also apply.

If an animal control officer has probable cause that a pet animal is vicious or dangerous, or a court-designated animal is confined in violation of the section, the animal can be seized and impounded. If impoundment cannot be done safely, officers are authorized to take appropriate measures, including destruction, to prevent death or bodily injury. Provocation is an affirmative defense. Section 10-31 limits enforcement to unincorporated La Plata County, and the Sixth Judicial District District Attorney prosecutes.