New Haven, CT Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Chapter 7's dangerous-dog tier sits above the 'potentially dangerous' classification in Sec. 7-10: a dog is declared dangerous, rather than potentially dangerous, once probable cause shows it has bitten or attacked a person, or behaved with high-risk aggression toward someone acting peacefully and lawfully. Subsection (2) then imposes a package of duties within stated deadlines. ' The same ten-day clock runs on registration as a dangerous dog (subsection a), two color photographs showing the dog's color and approximate size (subsection h), and proof of spaying or neutering (subsection j).

Beyond the ten-day items, an owner must post visible 'Beware of Dog' signs (subsection g), keep the dog in a secure enclosure with a four-foot leash and fitted muzzle whenever it leaves that enclosure (subsections b-d), and may not keep it anywhere in the house where an unlatched window or screen door would let it escape (subsection f). Selling or transferring a registered dangerous dog to anyone living within the city is barred unless the recipient shares the same household (subsection k), and an owner must immediately notify the animal control officer if the dog escapes, bites or attacks (subsection l). § 22-358, and can revoke the dog's license and keeping permit.