CO HB1158

County sheriff's offices are required to investigate alleged violations of unlawful dangerous dog ownership statutes and enforce related provisions.

Victims may file an affidavit with a judge if a county sheriff's office fails to investigate or enforce the dangerous dog statute, triggering a hearing where the sheriff must explain the refusal.

A judge may order either the county sheriff's office or the district attorney's office to investigate and enforce the law if finding the sheriff's refusal was arbitrary, capricious, and without reasonable excuse.

If a county sheriff's office refuses to comply with a court order to investigate or enforce, the court shall order the sheriff to reimburse the county for all general fund appropriations received in the last fiscal year.

The act takes effect August 2, 2019, unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2020 general election.