§ 6-61. Vicious dogs.  


Latest version.
  • No vicious dog shall be allowed off the premises of its owner unless muzzled or on a leash in charge of the owner or a member of the owner's immediate family over 16 years of age. For purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed as being of a vicious disposition if, within a 12-month period, it bites two or more persons or inflicts serious injury to one person in unprovoked circumstances off the owner's premises. Any vicious dog which is found off the premises of its owners other than as provided in this section, may be seized by any person, and upon delivery to the proper authorities, may, upon establishment to the satisfaction of a court of competent jurisdiction of the vicious character of said dog, by testimony under oath reduced to writing, be killed by the police authorities.

(Code 1984, § 7-1-6(b))