Laws & Ordinances about animals

City of Boulder Animal Laws and Ordinances

Animal Control Officers are dedicated to public safety, animal welfare, and public education. Officers provide service seven days a week including enforcement of ordinances, investigations of cruelty and neglect, provide assistance to injured animals, and assist citizens with various animal complaints. Boulder animal laws were developed to ensure the health and safety of citizens as well as their pets.

LEASH LAW

All dogs in the City of Boulder must be kept on leashes at all times unless they are confined to their owners' property. Dogs who roam loose present a danger to the public and may be in danger themselves by being hit by a car or possibly attacked by other animals. An exception for your dog to run free is to utilize one of the four designated off-leash dog parks.

If you have obtained an Open Space & Mountain Parks Voice and Sight Tag for your dog, you must utilize the designated opens space areas that are participating in that program.

RABIES VACCINATION

City of Boulder law requires ALL dogs and cats over the age of three months to be vaccinated against rabies. After the initial vaccination, animals must be kept current on rabies vaccinations by either a one-year or three-year vaccination. All vaccinations must be given by a Colorado Licensed Veterinarian.

CITY DOG LICENSE

A City of Boulder dog license is required for ALL dogs over the age of four months living within the city limits of Boulder. The license serves as identification to enable officers to contact you if your dog is lost or injured as well as ensuring your dog is currently vaccinated against rabies. The license must be obtained within 30 days of acquisition of the dog or within 30 days of moving to Boulder. In order to purchase a city dog license, a guardian must provide proof of a current rabies vaccination.

ALL dogs are required to wear their City License tag on their collar or harness at all times. Keep in mind that the Open Space & Mountain Parks Voice and Sight Tag is not a substitute for a city dog license.

AGGRESSIVE ANIMALS

No person shall own or keep any aggressive animal. An aggressive animal is one that approaches a person in a vicious or terrorizing attitude of attack. An animal that bites, claws or attempts to bite or claw any person or bites or injures another animal will also be considered a vicious animal. Be sure to keep your pets under control at all times to prevent an incident such as an attack or bite.

ANIMAL CRUELTY OR NEGLECT

Failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary care, grooming, opportunity for exercise, or sanitary conditions is a violation of Boulder's Improper Care Ordinance.

All animals in Boulder are legally protected from being abandoned, beaten, tortured, injured, transported in an unsafe manner or killed. Violators will be strictly prosecuted for these infractions.

BARKING DOG NUSIANCE

Boulder's Animal Noise Ordinance states that it is unlawful for an owner to allow an animal to disturb the peace of another by loud and habitual barking, howling, whining, or baying.

If you notice your dog barks unnecessarily, it is your responsibility to identify the problem and resolve it immediately to prevent a disturbance to your neighborhood.

CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR ANIMAL

Picking up your pet's waste is required by City Ordinance. It is an important way to help preserve our environment as well as prevent the spread of disease. Please be courteous to other Boulder community members by cleaning up after your pet.

CATS AND THE LAW

While not subject to leash and licensing laws, cats must be vaccinated against rabies beginning at three months of age. Cats must also be restrained from creating a nuisance by leaving feces or damaging the property of another.

If a cat is causing a nuisance by defecating or destroying property, a property owner has the legal right to remove the cat from their property and bring it to the local animal shelter. The guardian may also be charged with owning a nuisance cat. Impound and board fees apply to impounded cats.

STRICT LIABILITY

Boulder animal laws are strict liability laws. Therefore, an animal's guardian is liable even when there is no proof of negligence or intent. The guardian is responsible for their animal's actions regardless of the circumstances, accidental or otherwise. If an animal injures, kills, or damages any person, other animal or property, the strict liability law holds the guardian or keeper of the animal legally responsible, and includes all costs and damages incurred.

PENALTIES

In addition to impoundment fees, guardians are subject to a summons to court for violations of the City animal ordinances. The maximum penalty for each violation is $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. Fines are subject to increase for subsequent violations.

Click here for a complete listing of all City of Boulder laws and ordinances.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 October 2012 13:14