Stamford, CT Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

C lets the City of Stamford Animal Control Manager, the director of the Stamford Animal Control and Care Center (SACCC), or an Animal Control Officer declare a dog 'dangerous/vicious' on any of three grounds: it severely injured or killed a domestic animal off its owner's property, it bit or attacked a person, another dog or a domestic animal without provocation on public or private property, or it was used or trained for dogfighting. §§ 22-362 and 22-363, or as one previously involved in an unprovoked attack or trained as a guard or attack dog.

Three defenses bar a vicious declaration: the victim was trespassing or committing a tort, a domestic animal that was tormenting or invading the dog's premises caused the injury, or the dog was defending its owner's premises or a person nearby from attack. The Manager may also seek an outside behaviorist's evaluation. Once declared, the owner must keep the dog inside the dwelling unit unless it's on a leash, in a dog run, enclosure, fence or an approved electronic restraint, must muzzle it with a Manager-approved muzzle whenever it's on a street, sidewalk or another person's property, and must post a warning sign, in a location and form the Manager approves, outside the dwelling. The rule applies to any dog entering Stamford regardless of where the dog or its owner lives, though a governmental agency's dog is exempt.