Parker, CO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis for designation
- Conduct/history, not breed
- Dangerous dog trigger
- Bodily/serious injury or death caused
- At-risk dog trigger
- Charging, biting, aggressive threats
- Maximum penalty
- $999.00 and/or 1 year jail
- Defenses
- 11 listed circumstances in Subsection (c)
- Impoundment authority
- Animal Welfare Officer, § 9.04.010
Summary
Parker Municipal Code § 9.03.060 bans owning or keeping a dangerous dog, cat or other dangerous domestic animal by behavior, not breed: a dog qualifies if it inflicts injury or is court-ordered as dangerous, or is used in animal fighting. Violation carries up to $999.00 or a year in jail.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport or sell within the Town any dangerous dog, dangerous cat, dangerous domestic animal or other dangerous animal.(1)For purposes of this Subsection, a dangerous cat is defined as any cat that bites or attacks a person or another domestic animal at any place within the Town, whether on public property or on private property.(2)For purposes of this Subsection, a dangerous dog is defined as a dog which, at any place in the Town, whether on public property or private property:a.Inflicts bodily or serious bodily injury upon or causes the death of a person or domestic animal; ... (b)It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport or sell within the Town any at-risk dog.
Full Breakdown
Section 9.03.060(a) makes it unlawful to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport or sell a dangerous dog, dangerous cat, dangerous domestic animal or other dangerous animal in the Town of Parker. Parker defines a dangerous dog by conduct, not breed: it is a dog that inflicts bodily or serious bodily injury on or causes the death of a person or domestic animal, is kept in violation of a court order imposing conditions for a dangerous animal, or is trained for or engages in animal fighting under Section 18-9-204, C.R.S.
Subsection (b) separately bans owning an 'at-risk dog,' one that demonstrates tendencies a reasonable person would believe could lead to injury or death, such as repeatedly charging a fence or lead in an apparent attempt to attack, biting or attempting to bite, or aggressively baring teeth, growling and snapping at a person or domestic animal. Subsection (c) lists eleven circumstances, including provocation, a peace officer's lawful use of the dog, or two animals fighting while both are at large, under which an animal is not deemed dangerous or at-risk.
An Animal Welfare Officer may impound a dog under this Section per Section 9.04.010, and a court may deny return of the animal to the owner under Section 9.04.050.
Violations & Fines
A conviction under Section 9.03.060 is punished under the elevated tier in Section 9.07.010(a), alongside cruelty to animals and poisoning: a fine of not more than $999.00, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both, at the Municipal Judge's discretion, with an option to order an anger management or other treatment program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Parker ban specific dog breeds?
What happens if my dog is declared dangerous?
Is there a defense if my dog was provoked?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Parker
How Parker compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Parker to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview
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