Dogs are a threat if one or more of the following have happened: The animal’s aggressive actions in locations other than the owner’s property have caused individuals to have to defend themselves against it a minimum of two separate times in the last three years. The dog bit an individual without any provocation and caused an injury classified as non-severe. The dog has injured or killed another domestic animal on two separate occasions in the last three years. Dogs can be classified as vicious if one or more of the following have happened: The dog injured an individual aggressively or killed someone without provocation. A court concluded that the animal posed a potential danger, but the owner didn’t follow the court’s orders or the behavior continued. Either local animal control agents or police can petition for a hearing if they have reason to believe a dog is dangerous or vicious. When a court decides that a dog is dangerous or vicious, the owner receives a legal order to keep the community safe from the dog. The court may order owners to keep the animal inside, for example, or to leash it, or keep it in a fenced area. The court can fine an owner who doesn’t follow the court’s mandates.