H561 - Strengthen Dangerous Dog Laws

• Defines "dangerous dogs" as those that kill or severely injure a person without provocation, are trained for dog fighting, or are determined to be potentially dangerous based on specific behaviors like biting that causes broken bones or disfiguring lacerations.

• Requires county or municipal animal control authorities to designate a person or Board to determine dangerous dog status and a separate appellate Board to hear owner appeals within 10 business days, with further appeals to superior court available within 10 days.

• Mandates impoundment of dogs that have killed or severely injured a person or domestic animal, with owner responsible for impoundment fees unless the determination is overturned on appeal; impoundment continues during all appeals until restraint requirements are met.

• Establishes that owners of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs must keep them confined indoors or in a secure pen on their property, and must leash and muzzle the dog if it goes beyond the property; owners must notify animal control and the new owner if transferring ownership.

• Makes violations a Class 3 misdemeanor; establishes Class 1 misdemeanor penalty for owners whose dangerous dogs attack a person causing medical treatment costs over $100 or kill a domestic animal; imposes strict civil liability for injuries or property damage.

• Effective October 1, 2019.