California Food and Agricultural Code ARTICLE 1 - Findings, Definitions, and General Provisions

• Section 31601.
  The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Potentially dangerous and vicious dogs have become a serious and widespread threat to the safety and welfare...
• Section 31602.
  “Potentially dangerous dog” means any of the following:(a) Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior 36-month period, engages in any behavior...
• Section 31603.
  “Vicious dog” means either of the following:(a) Any dog that, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being.(b) Any dog...
• Section 31604.
  “Severe injury” means any physical injury to a human being that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations or requires multiple sutures or corrective or...
• Section 31605.
  “Enclosure” means a fence or structure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and which is suitable to confine a vicious dog in conjunction...
• Section 31606.
  “Animal control department” means the county or city animal control department. If the city or county does not have an animal control department, it means...
• Section 31607.
  “Impounded” means taken into the custody of the public pound or animal control department or provider of animal control services to the city or county...
• Section 31608.
  “County” includes any city and county.(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 761, Sec. 1.)
• Section 31609.
  (a) This chapter does not apply to licensed kennels, humane society shelters, animal control facilities, or veterinarians.(b) This chapter does not apply to dogs while utilized by...

Last modified: October 22, 2018