Board of Supes Set to Decide on Controversial ‘Criminal Negligence’ Clause for Animal Welfare Ordinance

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is set to hold a pivotal public hearing on Monday to discuss potential misdemeanor charges against dog owners after biting incidents.

Two months prior, the Mohave County Attorney’s Office proposed a revision to the existing animal control ordinance. This initiative aims to reinforce current animal control laws and impose accountability on owners whose dogs bite due to negligence.

As of September, the county reported 192 dog bite incidents along with 291 aggressive animal reports from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office last year. These alarming statistics underline the necessity for legislative change.

If the proposed changes are approved, dog owners who fail to recognize a significant risk their pet poses to others could be charged with criminal negligence, classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor under Arizona law. Potential consequences include probation, fines reaching $750, or even up to four months in jail.

Additionally, strict guidelines are already in place regarding aggressive animals. According to current ordinances in Mohave County and Lake Havasu City, any animal deemed “vicious” by a court must be humanely euthanized.

In Havasu, dogs involved in biting incidents without current rabies vaccinations are held at the Western Arizona Humane Society for 10 days. Owners must cover fees and vaccinations before reclaiming their pets.

Furthermore, an animal inflicting serious injury during a non-defensive, unprovoked attack is classified as “vicious” in the eyes of the law.

The Board of Supervisors will convene in Kingman at 9:30 a.m. on Monday to decide the future of this proposal.