Criminal penalties for the owners of dangerous dogs are covered in the section of this web site entitled Criminal penalties for dog bites. For example, California law provides that the owner of a dog determined to be a “vicious dog” (see definition) may be prohibited by the city or county from owning, possessing, controlling, or having custody of any dog for a period of up to three years. A violation of that prohibition is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail. There are cities that have similar laws, such as Section 53.34.4 (Dangerous Animal – Procedures) of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.
