County Dog Owners Might Soon Face Misdemeanor Charges for Bites

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is poised to enhance local animal control laws next month, potentially introducing misdemeanor charges for dog owners involved in biting incidents. This measure, proposed by the Mohave County Attorney’s Office, aims to reinforce existing regulations and ensure dog owners are held accountable for injuries caused by their pets due to negligence.

The board has scheduled a special hearing for November 4 to discuss these changes. This move comes in response to approximately 192 reported dog bites as of September, alongside 291 aggressive animal incidents recorded by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office last year.

With the proposed amendments, an owner who neglects to recognize a significant risk their dog poses may face charges of criminal negligence, classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor under Arizona law. Such a conviction could result in probation, fines amounting to $750, or even up to four months in jail.

The repercussions for dog attacks could be even more severe. Under Mohave County and Lake Havasu City regulations, animals determined to be “vicious” by the courts face mandatory euthanasia. In Lake Havasu, an animal inflicting serious injury while attacking non-defensively is categorized as “vicious,” subjecting it to these stringent measures.