Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Classification basis
- Behavior only, no breed criteria
- Classification levels
- 1 through 5
- Level 1 trigger
- Aggressive posturing, lunging, or barking causing fear
- Level 5 consequence
- Mandatory euthanasia
- Fraudulent-report fine
- $200
- Failure-to-notify fine
- $100 to $300
Summary
Matanuska-Susitna Borough doesn't restrict any dog breed by name. Instead, § 24.26.010(A) classifies an animal as dangerous on a five-level scale based purely on what it actually does: biting, injuring, or aggressively threatening a person or another animal, with consequences ranging from confinement rules to mandatory euthanasia at Level 5.
Level 1 classification is established if an unrestrained animal: ... Has engaged in the following activities: ... Aggressive posturing; ... Aggressive lunging; or ... Aggressive barking; ... Level 3 classification is established if an animal, while under restraint: ... Inflicts an aggressive bite or causes any physical injury to any human; ... Level 5 classification is established if any of the following occur: ... An animal, regardless of whether it is restrained, causes serious physical injury or the death of any human;
Full Breakdown
010(A) sets out five classification levels for animal bite and attack incidents, and breed never appears as a factor anywhere in the text. Level 1 covers an unrestrained animal that engages in aggressive posturing, lunging or barking and, by that conduct, makes a person modify their behavior or fear for their safety, or is found running at large more than twice in 12 months. Level 2 covers a bite or injury to a domestic animal. Level 3 covers a restrained animal that inflicts an aggressive bite or physical injury on a human, or serious injury on a domestic animal.
Level 4 covers the same acts committed by an unrestrained animal, or a second injury to a domestic animal, or a domestic animal's death. Level 5, the top tier, applies when an animal causes serious injury or death to a human, is used as a weapon in a crime, or repeats Level 3 or 4 conduct after the owner was already notified. 040(B)(4) requires a Level 5 animal to be euthanized. 020(A) for reasons like self-defense, trespass by the victim, or provocation.
Violations & Fines
Filing a fraudulent complaint, statement or report about a classified animal is an infraction fined $200 under § 24.26.030(F). Failing to notify the borough that a classified animal has gotten loose is $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $300 for a third within 12 months under § 24.26.040(H)(1) and § 24.40.050. Owners can appeal a classification decision to the office of administrative hearings, and the chief officer's exception decisions are reviewed only for abuse of discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Matanuska-Susitna Borough ban pit bulls or other breeds?
What happens if my dog is classified as Level 3 or 4?
Can a dangerous-animal classification be appealed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
How Matanuska-Susitna Borough compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Matanuska-Susitna Borough to another location·View the Alaska animal ordinances overview
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