Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/dc-dog-consolidated-dog-laws-and-dangerous-dog-provision
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 08:20:10+00:00

Document:
Full Statute Name: District of Columbia Official Code 2001 Edition. Division I. Government of District. Title 8. Environmental and Animal Control and Protection. Subtitle E. Animal Control and Protection. Chapter 18. Animal Control.
These District of Columbia statutes make up the dog laws for the District. Included among the provisions are definitions, animal control and at large provisions, and vaccinations/licensing regulations. With regard to dangerous dogs, the term "dangerous animal" means an animal that because of specific training or demonstrated behavior threatens the health or safety of the public. The Mayor may impound any animal at large or any dangerous animal. If a dog injures a person while at large, lack of knowledge of the dog's vicious propensity standing alone shall not absolve the owner from a finding of negligence.
§ 8-1802 . Animal and Control Control Agency.
§ 8-1804 . Licenses and fees.
§ 8-1804.01. Animal hobby permit.
§ 8-1806 . Release to owner.
§ 8-1808 . Prohibited conduct.
§ 8-1808.01 . Dog parks. - Recodified as § 8-1810.02.
§ 8-1808.02. Animals Left in Vehicles.
§ 8-1809 . Animal hobby permit. - Recodified as § 8-1804.01.
§ 8-1810 . Education and incentive program.
§ 8-1810.01. Animal Education and Outreach Fund.
§ 8-1813 . Notice of violation.
Subchapter II. Commercial Licensing Requirement.
§ 8–1821.01. Commercial Animal Breeder License.
§ 8–1821.02 . Commercial Pet Care Facilities; Rulemaking.
Subchapter III. Release of Animals.
§ 8–1831.01. Release of Animals.
Subchapter IV. Commercial Guard Dogs.
§ 8-1841.07. Care of animal.
§ 8-1841.08. Violation and penalty.
§ 8-1902 . Determination of a dangerous dog.
§ 8-1903 . Consequences of a dangerous dog determination.
§ 8-1904 . Dangerous dog registration requirements.
§ 8-1905 . Dangerous dog and potentially dangerous dog owner responsibilities.
§ 8-1907 . Annual dangerous dog licensing drive; educational program.
(1) “Abandon” means to desert, forsake, or give up an animal without having secured another owner or custodian for the animal or having transferred the animal to the Animal Care and Control Agency.
(2) “Adequate care” means the responsible practice of animal husbandry, handling, confinement, protection, transportation, treatment, and, when necessary, euthanasia, appropriate for the age, species, condition, size, and type of the animal, and the provision of veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, impairment of health, or the treatment of illness or injury.
(3) “Adequate feed” means the provision of and access to food that is sufficient in quantity, prepared and provided in a manner so that the animal can consume it, and provided in a manner sanitary for the animal.
(4)(A) “Adequate shelter” means the provision of and access to shelter that is safe and protects each animal from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, the adverse effects of heat or cold, and physical suffering, and that is of a size sufficient for the animal to stand up and turn around.
(ii) When the temperature is at or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the dog has access to a shelter shaded by trees, a roof, a tarp, or a tarp-like device.
(5)(A) “Adequate space” means sufficient space to allow each animal to easily stand, sit, lie, turn, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the animal, while allowing the animal to interact safely with other animals.
(B) Where freedom of movement would endanger or harm the animal, temporarily and appropriately restricting movement of the animal according to veterinary standards for the species is considered the provision of adequate space.
(6) “Adequate water” means the provision of and access to clean, fresh, potable water, provided in a suitable manner for proper hydration for the age, species, condition, size, and type of each animal.
(7) “Animal Care and Control Agency” means the District of Columbia humane organization the Mayor contracts with to manage animal care and control.
(8) “Animal shelter” means a privately- or government-owned facility established for the impoundment of stray, diseased, dangerous, sick, injured, abused, neglected, unwanted, abandoned, orphaned, lost, or otherwise displaced animals, with the intent to care for, quarantine, return to an owner, place for adoption, or euthanize the animals.
(9)(A) “At large” means any animal found off the premises of its owner or custodian and not leashed, tethered, or otherwise under adequate means of control of a person capable of physically restraining it.
(B) The term “at large” shall not include a dog in a dog park pursuant to § 8-1808.01.
(C) The term “at large” shall not include cats.
(10) “Custodian” means a person who has assumed responsibility for the care and well-being of an animal in place of the animal's owner with the owner's knowledge and permission.
(11) “Dangerous animal” means an animal that because of specific training or demonstrated behavior threatens the health or safety of the public. The term “dangerous animal” shall not include a dangerous dog as defined in § 8-1901(1).
(12) “Dog park” means an off-leash dog exercise area officially established pursuant to § 8-1808.01.
(13) “Extreme weather” means temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
(14) “Leash” means a line held by a person on one end that is for leading or restraining an animal.
(15) “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia or his or her designee.
(16) “Owner” means a person in the District of Columbia who purchases or keeps an animal in temporary or permanent custody, except as provided in § 8-1804.
(17) “Tether” means a line connected to a stationary object by which an animal is fastened so as to restrict its range of movement.
(18) “Vaccinated” means protected by a documented inoculation that the Mayor, consistent with the practices of veterinary medicine, determines is currently effective.
(a) The Mayor may contract, either by negotiation or competitive bid, with a District of Columbia humane organization to serve as the Animal Care and Control Agency. The Mayor may delegate all or part of his authority under this chapter, including the issuance of notices of violations, to the Animal Care and Control Agency.
(1) Pursuant to this subchapter, issue fines and citations for violations and deliver all fees collected to the Mayor.
(6) Perform any other duties the Mayor designates that are consistent with the provisions of this subchapter.
(2) The utilization of trap, spay or neuter, and return practices as a means of controlling the feral cat population; provided, that all efforts shall be made to adopt out a trapped, tamable kitten.
(a) An owner who has a dog over the age of 4 months shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies and distemper. Pursuant to rules issued by the Mayor, an owner of a cat over the age of 4 months shall have that cat vaccinated against rabies.
(b) The Mayor shall provide a free rabies vaccination clinic at least annually.
(3) An incorporated animal welfare agency not engaged in the sale of animals.
(b) An owner who has a dog over the age of 4 months shall before July 1st of each year, or within 10 days of acquiring the dog, or within 10 days after the dog becomes 4 months of age, obtain an annual license. An owner shall ensure that his or her dog wears a collar or harness and a license.
(c) Before any annual license may be issued, the owner of the dog shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies and distemper, and shall pay any outstanding fines.
“(3) $50 for all other dogs.”.
(e-1) $2 of each fee collected pursuant to subsection (e) of this section shall be deposited into the Animal Education and Outreach Fund, established by § 8-1810.01. Remaining money from the fees collected shall be deposited in the General Fund of the District of Columbia.
(f) The Mayor may periodically revise the schedule of fees by rulemaking.
(g) No license may be transferred from 1 dog to another.
(h) Any license issued pursuant to this section shall be issued by the Department of Health. The Department of Health may delegate this function to any veterinarians licensed in the District of Columbia.
(a) No person shall own or keep 7 or more animals, larger than a guinea pig and over the age of 4 months, without obtaining an animal hobby permit; provided, that this section shall not apply to a licensed pet shop, licensed veterinary hospital, circus or traveling exhibition.
(b) An owner of 7 or more animals shall before July 1st of each year or within 10 days of acquiring 7 or more animals obtain the permit required by this section.
(c) An owner applying for an animal hobby permit shall fully describe the kind and number of animals to be maintained and the premises where the animals are to be kept.
(2) An owner who maintains animals for commercial purposes. For purposes of this section, “commercial purposes” shall not include the sale of offspring if such sales are occasional and are not the primary purpose for maintaining the animals.
(e) The Mayor shall collect the fees and issue the permits as provided in this section.
(f) A holder of an animal hobby permit shall provide his or her animals with adequate care, adequate feed, adequate shelter, adequate space, adequate water, and appropriate veterinary care.
(g) A holder of an animal hobby permit shall not permit objectionable odors or noises to disturb the comfort or quiet of any neighborhood. A holder of an animal hobby permit shall not permit a animal to commit a nuisance on public space or property owned by others.
(h) The Mayor may revoke an animal hobby permit for failure to comply with the provisions of this section.
§ 8-1806. Release to owner.
(a) The Mayor shall not release a dog to its owner unless the owner has obtained a license as provided in § 8-1804.
(c) The Mayor shall issue a notice of violation to an owner of an animal impounded under § 8-1805 except that this subsection shall not apply the 1st time an owner has an animal impounded.
(a) The Mayor shall not release a dog for adoption unless the person adopting the dog obtains a license as provided in § 8-1804.
(B) The person adopting the animal has paid the expense of spaying.
(2) The Mayor shall not release a female animal under the age of 6 months for adoption unless the person adopting the animal has paid the expense of spaying the animal. The person adopting the animal shall have it spayed before it becomes 6 months of age.
(B) The person adopting the animal has paid the expense of neutering.
(4) The Mayor shall not release a male animal under the age of 10 months for adoption unless the person adopting the animal has paid the expense of neutering the animal. The person adopting the animal shall have it neutered before it becomes 10 months of age.
(5) The Mayor shall refund any money collected for the purpose of spaying or neutering an animal upon proof that the animal has been spayed or neutered by a private veterinarian.
(a) The Mayor is authorized to establish dog parks on District-owned parkland in which a dog under the verbal command of a responsible adult may exercise off-leash.
(b) A dog park shall be completely enclosed by a fence and gate, both no less than 5 feet in height.
(2) Establish procedures for the operation, maintenance, and use of a dog park, which shall include a process for enforcement of the rules and for monitoring and addressing health and environmental safety concerns.
(a) An owner or custodian shall not leave an animal alone in a vehicle in such a way as to endanger the animal's health or safety.
(b) After making a reasonable attempt to contact the owner or custodian, an animal control officer, firefighter, or law enforcement officer may use reasonable force to remove the animal from the vehicle whenever it appears that the animal's health is endangered; provided, that no attempt to contact the owner or custodian is required if the animal is in immediate danger or appears in distress.
(c) Following an animal's removal from a vehicle by an animal control officer, firefighter, or law enforcement officer, the animal shall be impounded and medical care shall be provided if needed. A written notice shall be left attached to the vehicle identifying the responding animal control officer, firefighter, or law enforcement officer, and providing a phone number, time, date, and the location where the animal is being held.
(d)(1) Any person found in violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the District in the care, medical treatment, and impound cost of the animal.
(B) Cost of any damage to a vehicle due to enforcement of subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
§ 8-1809. Animal hobby permit.
(a) No person shall own or keep 7 or more mammals, larger than a guinea pig and over the age of 4 months, without obtaining an animal hobby permit: Except, that this section shall not apply to a licensed pet shop, licensed veterinary hospital, circus or traveling exhibition.
(b) An owner of 7 or more mammals shall before July 1st of each year or within 10 days of acquiring 7 or more mammals obtain the permit required by this section.
(c) An owner applying for an animal hobby permit shall fully describe the kind and number of mammals to be maintained and the premises where the mammals are to be kept.
(2) An owner who maintains mammals for commercial purposes. For purposes of this section, “commercial purposes” shall not include the sale of offspring if such sales are occasional and are not the primary purpose for maintaining the mammals.
(f) A holder of an animal hobby permit shall provide his mammals with appropriate veterinary care. A holder of an animal hobby permit shall maintain the premises and enclosures where the mammals are kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(g) A holder of an animal hobby permit shall not permit objectionable odors or noises to disturb the comfort or quiet of any neighborhood. A holder of an animal hobby permit shall not permit a mammal to commit a nuisance on public space or property owned by others.
§ 8-1810. Education and incentive program.
(2) An educational program for animal owners regarding pet care and safety, specifically in extreme weather conditions or emergencies, and the laws related to pet ownership.
(a) There is established as a special fund the Animal Education and Outreach Fund (“Fund”), which shall be utilized in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Revenue deposited into the Fund shall come from $2 of each fee paid for the application, issuance, or renewal of a dog license pursuant to § 8-1804(e-1).
(2) Appropriate overhead and administrative expenses related to the Fund.
(d) The money deposited into the Fund shall not revert to the unrestricted fund balance of the General Fund of the District of Columbia at the end of a fiscal year, or at any other time.
(1) $500 for each offense, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) $1000 for each offense for violations of § 8-1808(n), (o) or (p)(1).
(b) Fines issued under this section shall not preclude any other criminal or civil penalty or enforcement action provided by District law.
If a dog injures a person while at large, lack of knowledge of the dog's vicious propensity standing alone shall not absolve the owner from a finding of negligence.
§ 8-1813. Notice of violation.
(a) The Mayor may issue a notice of violation to any person who violates a provision of this chapter.
(c) A notice of violation shall be the summons and complaint for the purposes of this chapter.
(2) Depositing collateral in an amount established by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and requesting, through the issuing agency, a trial in Court.
(e) The Mayor shall prescribe the form for the notice of violation and establish procedures for the administrative control of the notice of violation.
The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, may issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter.
§ 8-1821.01. Commercial animal breeder license.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “commercial animal breeder” means any person, firm, organization, or corporation engaged in the operation of breeding and raising more than 25 animals per year for sale or in return for consideration.
§ 8-1821.02. Commercial pet care facilities; rulemaking.
(a) No person shall operate a commercial pet care facility without first obtaining a basic business license with an Inspected Sales and Services license endorsement pursuant to Title 47. The Mayor shall issue rules to establish the standards for the care and management of animals in a commercial pet care facility.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “commercial pet care facility” means a facility that provides day or overnight boarding, or provides pet-related services, including feeding, exercise, training, bathing, or grooming, but does not include an animal facility as defined in § 3-502 or a licensed pet shop.
§ 8-1831.01. Release of animals.
(a) No person shall release an animal from the custody or control of any entity charged with animal protection for any purpose except adoption or to improve the opportunity for adoption, redemption by the owner of the animal, or other suitable placement in the best interest of the animal. No animals shall be knowingly released from any entity charged with animal protection for the purposes of research, experimentation, testing, or medical instruction or demonstration.
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 180 days, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “commercial guard dog” means any dog trained to guard, protect, patrol, or defend any commercial premises.
(a) All commercial guard dogs shall have a valid commercial guard dog license issued pursuant to District law. Upon issuance of a license, the Mayor shall issue a fluorescent guard dog identification tag, or such other tag as the Mayor determines appropriate, to be affixed to the collar or harness of the commercial guard dog to indicate the dog is a commercial guard dog.
(b) All commercial guard dogs shall be immunized against rabies and distemper pursuant to District law, and a current and valid certificate of these immunizations shall be retained on file by the owner of the commercial guard dog.
(a) All commercial guard dogs shall undergo an annual examination by a licensed veterinarian for the purpose of determining whether or not the animal is healthy and fit to work as a commercial guard dog. Upon a determination by a licensed veterinarian that a commercial guard dog is unfit to work, the dog shall not be used to guard, protect, patrol, or defend any commercial premises until the dog is re-examined by the veterinarian. Upon a determination by a licensed veterinarian that a commercial guard dog is permanently unfit to work, the dog shall be immediately retired.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any individual, business, or entity to cause, allow, use, or train commercial guard dogs that have undergone the surgical procedure of ventricular cordectomy.
An individual, business, or entity that utilizes a commercial guard dog shall maintain a general liability insurance policy for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage of not less than $50,000 to insure against liability resulting from acts of the animal performed while on guard duty.
An individual, business, or entity that utilizes a commercial guard dog shall notify the Mayor, in writing, as to the presence of the animal and shall provide contact information for the entity responsible for the animal and a 24-hour emergency telephone number.
An individual, business, or entity that utilizes a commercial guard dog shall post a sign in plain view alerting the public to the presence of a commercial guard dog and shall include the name of the entity responsible for the animal and a 24-hour emergency telephone.
(2) Continuous access to sufficient food and water.
Any person found guilty of violating this subchapter shall be subject to a penalty of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.
The Mayor shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter.
Subtitle E. Animal Control and Protection. Chapter 19. Dangerous Dogs.
(ii) Engages in behavior described in paragraph (4)(A)(i) of this section subsequent to having been determined to be a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to § 8-1902.
(B) The term “dangerous dog” shall not include dogs used by law enforcement officials when the dog is being used for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
(2) “Impound” means taken into the custody of the Mayor.
(3) “Owner” means any person, firm, corporation, organization, or department possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having control or custody of a dog.
(iii) Is running at-large and has been impounded by an animal control agency 3 or more times in the District within any 12-month period.
(B) The term “potentially dangerous dog” shall not include dogs used by law enforcement officials when the dog is being used for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
(C) Prevent contact with the dog from humans and other domestic animals.
(6) “Serious injury” means any physical injury that results in broken bones or lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.
§ 8-1902. Determination of a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog.
(a) The Mayor is authorized to conduct an investigation and make a determination as to whether a dog is a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog. In determining whether a dog is a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog, the Mayor shall consider all evidence obtained or presented to the Mayor relevant to the issue of whether the dog's behavior was the result of provocation or otherwise justified under the circumstances.
(D) A person or domestic animal because, at the time of injury, the dog was protecting or defending a human being within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an attack or assault.
(2) The burden of proof on establishing that the dog falls into one of the categories described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is on the owner.
(c) The Mayor shall provide notice of the determination to the owner by personal service, posting, or prepaid mail. The owner may contest the determination and request a hearing by filing a written appeal within 15 business days of the date the notice of determination is served, posted, or mailed. The Mayor shall provide reasonable notice of the hearing to the owner.
(d)(1) If the Mayor has probable cause to believe a dog is a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog and may pose a threat to public safety, the Mayor, after providing notice to the owner of the probable cause determination, may obtain a search warrant pursuant to Rule 204 of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Rules of Civil Procedure and impound the dog pending final disposition of the case.
(2) The owner shall be liable to the District for the costs and expenses of the impoundment of the dog unless the dog is determined to be neither a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog. If a dog is determined to be a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog, the owner, prior to reclaiming the dog in accordance with § 8-1903, shall reimburse the animal control agency its costs and expenses for the care of the dogs while in the animal control agency's custody plus any reasonable veterinary fees incurred for the dog during the period of impoundment. An owner's failure to pay the costs and expenses within 5 days of a final determination shall result in ownership of the dog reverting to the animal control agency.
(e)(1) The hearing shall be held not less than 5, and not more than 10 days, excluding holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays, after service of notice of the hearing upon the owner. The hearing shall be open to the public. The owner shall have the opportunity to present evidence as to why the dog should not be declared a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog, including evidence of provocation or justification pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or not be determined to pose a threat to public safety if returned to its owner. The Mayor may decide all issues for or against the owner regardless of whether the owner appears at the hearing.
(f) Within 5 days after the hearing, the Mayor shall notify the owner in writing of the determination of the hearing officer.
(g)(1) Within 5 days of the issuance of an order by the hearing officer determining that the dog is a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog, the owner may bring a petition in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia seeking review of the determination.
(2) A court order vacating the determination shall not prevent the Mayor from later determining that the dog is a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog or poses a threat to public safety, based upon the dog's subsequent behavior.
§ 8-1903. Consequences of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog determination.
(a) If the Mayor determines that a dog is a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog, the owner shall comply with the requirements of §§ 8-1904 and 8-1905 and any other special security or care requirements the Mayor may establish.
(3) Met or agreed to comply with any additional security or care requirements established by the Mayor.
(4) The owner forfeits the dog for humane destruction.
§ 8-1904. Dangerous dog and potentially dangerous dog registration requirements.
(8) The owner has written permission of the property owner, if the dog owner is not the property owner, and from a homeowner's association, if appropriate, to house the dog on the premises where the dog will be kept.
(b) The Mayor shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a dangerous dog if the owner, in addition to satisfying the requirements for registration of a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, establishes to the satisfaction of the Mayor that the owner of the dangerous dog has posted on the premises a clearly visible, printed warning sign, in type that is readable from not less than 50 feet, that there is a dangerous dog on the property, and that includes a conspicuous warning symbol that informs children of the presence of a dangerous dog.
§ 8-1905. Dangerous dog and potentially dangerous dog owner responsibilities.
(7) Remove a dangerous dog from the District without written permission from the Mayor.
(a) An owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog who violates the provisions of § 8-1904 or § 8-1905 shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to a fine not to exceed $500, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both for a first offense, and a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both for a second or subsequent offense. Prosecutions for violations of § 8-1904 or § 8-1905 pursuant to this subsection shall be brought in the name of the District of Columbia in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
(b) An owner of a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog that causes serious injury to or kills a human being or a domestic animal without provocation shall be fined up to $10,000.
(c) A violation of this chapter shall be a civil infraction for purposes of Chapter 18 of title 2. Civil fines, penalties, and fees may be imposed as sanctions for any infraction of the provisions of this chapter, or the rules issued under authority of this chapter, pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2 Adjudication of any infractions shall be pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2.
(d) The fines set forth in this section shall not be limited by § 22-3571.01.
§ 8-1907. Annual dangerous dog licensing drive; educational program.
(a) The Mayor shall conduct an annual dangerous dog licensing drive in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Within 180 days of October 18, 1988, the Mayor shall implement an educational campaign for the public on provisions of this chapter and existing laws concerning animal control.
(Oct. 18, 1988, D.C. Law 7-176, § 8, 35 DCR 4787.
The Mayor shall, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter.

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