Tucson, AZ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 4-13(a) defines a 'dangerous animal' two ways, and neither mentions breed: (1) an animal already declared vicious or destructive under Section 4-7 or 4-11, or (2) an animal that displays or has a tendency, disposition or propensity, as determined by the city enforcement agent, to injure, bite, attack, chase or charge a person or domestic animal in a threatening manner, or to bare its teeth or approach in a threatening manner. Section 4-13(b) exempts law-enforcement animals, animals in zoo or wild-animal-park custody, sheltered animals, animals under veterinary care, and wild animals covered by Section 4-25, again, nothing about breed.

The declaration process under Section 4-13(c) requires the city enforcement agent to develop guidelines for evaluating whether an animal is dangerous under the behavior-based standard in (a)(2), conduct an individualized evaluation, and issue written notice to the owner with rights to a hearing within ten days. Once declared dangerous, Section 4-13(e) can impose confinement, muzzling, signage, $50,000–$250,000 liability insurance, spay/neuter and microchipping regardless of the animal's breed. An owner can contest the declaration at a hearing under Section 4-13(d), with the burden on the city to prove dangerousness by a preponderance of the evidence, and can appeal an adverse decision to Pima County Superior Court within 30 days.