Waterbury, CT Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

29 governs guard, attack, vicious, and dangerous dogs under Chapter 92's Dogs subchapter. A guard or attack dog must be housed in a building or a secure enclosure: a chain-link fence at least six feet high, topped with an anti-climbing device, with locked access, and at least ten feet long at its narrowest point so the dog can exercise. A vicious or dangerous dog needs an even stronger enclosure: chain-link of at least eleven-gauge thickness, six feet high, topped with an anti-climbing device, a locked primary gate plus a redundant secondary gate (unless double-fenced), and the same ten-foot minimum exercise run.

Whenever outside that enclosure, a vicious or dangerous dog must be securely muzzled and restrained by an adult on two leashes each under six feet, or caged, and its owner has an affirmative duty to keep children under ten away from it. 29(C) requires a warning sign, visible from the abutting street, on any premises keeping such a dog. 29(D) requires the owner to file proof with the Town Clerk of at least $100,000 in liability insurance naming the City of Waterbury as an additional insured; letting that policy lapse is itself a violation.

21 defines VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS DOG by conduct, a dog that has attacked, bitten, or physically injured a person or domestic animal without adequate provocation, not by breed, and GUARD OR ATTACK DOG by training or use, not breed either. Waterbury's code contains no list of restricted or banned breeds.