A Dog The Law Calls Aggressive
A.R.S. 11-1014.01 — an aggressive dog kept from escaping and controlled off the property, at the risk of a class 1 misdemeanor
What makes a dog aggressive. An aggressive dog is any dog that has bitten a person or domestic animal without provocation, or that has a known history of attacking persons or domestic animals without provocation.
- Prohibiting the dog from escaping to the outside of a residence or an enclosed area, yard or structure.
- Controlling the dog so it cannot bite or attack a person or domestic animal at all times while it is off the owner's property.
Those are the two duties of reasonable care the section places on the owner or person responsible for the dog's care. Reasonable care is the care a person of ordinary prudence would use in the same circumstances.
| The violation | The level |
|---|---|
| The violationFailing to keep the dog from escaping | The levelClass 3 misdemeanor |
| The violationFailing to control the dog off the property | The levelClass 1 misdemeanor |
The section does not apply to police and military dogs, service animals, or dogs in lawful hunting, ranching or farming. County vicious animal ordinances and civil liability for a bite are not on this page. A particular dog is a question for the county enforcement agent, or a licensed Arizona attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- A.R.S. 11-1014.01 — Aggressive dogs; reasonable care requirements; violation; classification; definitions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Arizona attorney.