§ 6-6. Dogs not permitted at large; wearing licenses.

(a)

In a rabies quarantine area, no dogs shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, or secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length and directly under the owner's control when not on the owner's property.

(b)

Any dog over the age of four (4) months running at large shall wear a collar or harness to which is attached a valid license tag. Dogs used for control of livestock or while being used or trained for hunting or dogs while being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event or dogs while engaged in races approved by the state racing commission, and such dogs while being transported to and from such events, need not wear a collar or harness with a valid license attached provided that they are properly vaccinated, licensed and controlled.

(c)

If any dog is at large on the public streets, public parks or other public property, said dog's owner or custodian is in violation of this chapter.

(d)

Any person whose dog is at large is in violation of this chapter. A dog is not considered at large:

(1)

If it is restrained by a leash, chain, rope, or cord of not more than six (6) feet in length and of sufficient strength to control action of said dog.

(2)

If it is used for control of livestock or while being used or trained for hunting or being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event or while engaged in races approved by the state racing commission.

(3)

While it is actively engaged in dog obedience training, training for hunting or training at kennel club events and accompanied by and under the control of its owner or a trainer, provided that the person training the dog has in his possession a dog leash of not more than six (6) feet in length and of sufficient strength to control the dog.

(4)

If it is within an enclosure which actually confines the dog.

(e)

Dogs at large shall be apprehended and impounded by an enforcement agent. The agent shall have the right to enter upon private property when it be necessary to do so in order to apprehend any dog that has been running at large. Such entrance upon private property shall be in reasonable pursuit of such dog, and shall not include entry into a domicile or enclosure which confines a dog unless it be at the invitation of the occupant. The agent may issue a citation to the dog owner or person acting for the dog owner when the dog is at large. The procedure of the issuance of notice to appear shall be as provided for peace officers in Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-3903, except the enforcement agent shall not make an arrest before issuing the notice. The issuance of citations pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to provisions of Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-3899. In the judgment of the enforcement agent, if any dog at large or other animal that is dangerous, vicious, or fierce and a threat to human safety cannot be safely impounded, such animal may be immediately slain.

(Code 1963, § 5-5; Ord. No. 1045, § 2, 10-10-78; Ord. No. 1051, § 1, 10-24-78; Ord. No. 1453, § 3, 10-14-86; Ord. No. 1541, § 4, 5-24-88)

State law reference

Dogs at large, A.R.S. § 24-370.