Lewis County, WA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

LCC § 6.05.010(10) defines 'dangerous animal' entirely by what the animal did: it inflicted severe injury on a person without provocation (a fracture, a bleeding cut, a bruise visible more than 13 days, greater bodily harm, or death), killed a domestic animal or livestock while at large, or, having already been found 'potentially dangerous' and given notice, bit, attacked, or endangered safety again. No breed appears anywhere in that definition or in § 6.05.050's parallel definition of 'potentially dangerous animal,' which likewise turns on unprovoked bites or menacing chases.

§ 6.05.060 requires the animal control authority to prove the animal meets that behavioral definition at a hearing by a preponderance of the evidence, or lets an owner accept the designation in writing instead. § 6.05.070 spells out the hearing itself: it runs before a five-member citizen dangerous animal designation (DAD) board appointed by the county commissioners, with 10 days' notice, the right to counsel, subpoena power, and cross-examination, held on the record and open to the public. § 6.05.150 lets an owner appeal or seek a stay of an adverse designation, and § 6.05.155 lets the board rescind a designation later if warranted.