Selma, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 provides one of the clearest state-level prohibitions on breed-specific legislation in the country, explicitly stating that no governmental agency shall adopt or enforce any ordinance or policy that deems a dog dangerous or vicious based on the specific breed of the dog. This provision preempts any local ordinance that would single out specific breeds for bans, restrictions, or special regulatory treatment, and it applies directly to the City of Selma. As a result, all dog breeds are treated equally under Selma's animal control ordinances, and enforcement focuses exclusively on individual animal behavior rather than breed characteristics. Selma's dangerous and vicious animal provisions are contained in SMC 6-2-31 through 6-2-36, which establish a multi-step administrative process for identifying and managing dogs that pose a demonstrated threat to public safety. SMC 6-2-31 (Prohibition of Dangerous or Vicious Animals) establishes the city's authority to regulate animals that have been declared dangerous or vicious through the formal hearing process. SMC 6-2-32 (Procedure to Determine if Animal is Dangerous/Vicious) outlines the investigation process that begins when an incident is reported to Selma Animal Services, including evidence gathering, witness interviews, and the initiation of formal proceedings when the evidence supports a dangerous or vicious classification. The determination process follows the standards established by California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 31601 through 31683. A dog may be declared potentially dangerous under state law if, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior 36-month period, it has engaged in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog. A dog may also be declared potentially dangerous if, when unprovoked, it bites a human being causing a less than severe injury. The threshold for vicious classification is significantly higher: a dog is declared vicious if, when unprovoked, it inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being. Severe injury is defined as any physical injury to a human being that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations or requires multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery. SMC 6-2-33 (Impound Notice) addresses the procedures for notifying owners when their dog has been impounded pending a dangerous or vicious determination. SMC 6-2-34 (Conduct of Hearing) establishes the administrative hearing process, which provides the dog owner with an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and contest the proposed classification. SMC 6-2-35 (Hearing Decision) addresses the standards for the hearing officer's determination and the required findings. SMC 6-2-36 (Disposition of Dangerous or Vicious Animal) addresses the consequences of a dangerous or vicious finding, which may include mandatory containment in a secure enclosure meeting specific construction standards, muzzling in public, posting of warning signs, mandatory spay or neuter, liability insurance requirements, and for vicious dogs, the possibility of an order for humane destruction. Owners of dogs declared dangerous must comply with all conditions imposed by the hearing officer, and failure to comply can result in criminal charges and seizure of the dog. Selma Animal Services can be contacted at (559) 218-1937 for questions about the dangerous animal process or to report incidents of aggressive dog behavior.