Full Statute Name:  West's Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated. Title 15. Crimes and Punishments. Chapter 202. Crimes Against Public Health and Safety. Miscellaneous Crimes Concerning Public Safety. 202.500. Dangerous or vicious dogs: Unlawful acts; penalties.

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Primary Citation:  N. R. S. 202.500 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  February, 2024 Alternate Citation:  NV ST 202.500 Date Adopted:  1967 Historical: 
Summary: This Nevada statute defines a "dangerous dog," as a dog, that without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, behaved menacingly to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend him or herself against substantial bodily harm, when the dog is either off the premises of its owner or keeper or not confined in a cage or pen. A dog then becomes "vicious" when, without being provoked, it killed or inflicted substantial bodily harm upon a human being. If substantial bodily harm results from an attack by a dog known to be vicious, its owner or keeper is guilty of a category D felony. Under the statute, a dog may not be declared dangerous if it attacks as a defensive act against a person who was committing or attempting to commit a crime or who provoked the dog.

1. For the purposes of this section, a dog is:

(a)“Dangerous” if:

(1) It is so declared pursuant to subsection 2; or

(2) Without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, it behaved menacingly, to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend himself or herself against substantial bodily harm, when the dog was:

(I) Off the premises of its owner or keeper; or

(II) Not confined in a cage, pen or vehicle.

(b) “Provoked” when it is tormented or subjected to pain.

(c) “Vicious” if:

(1) Without being provoked, it killed or inflicted substantial bodily harm upon a human being; or

(2) After its owner or keeper had been notified by a law enforcement agency that the dog is dangerous, the dog continued the behavior described in paragraph (a).

2. A dog may be declared dangerous by a law enforcement agency if it is used in the commission of a crime by its owner or keeper.

3. A dog may not be found dangerous or vicious :

(a) Based solely on the breed of the dog; or

(b) Because of a defensive act against a person who was committing or attempting to commit a crime or who provoked the dog.

4. A person who knowingly:

(a) Owns or keeps a vicious dog, for more than 7 days after the person has actual notice that the dog is vicious; or

(b) Transfers ownership of a vicious dog after the person has actual notice that the dog is vicious,

is guilty of a misdemeanor.

5. If substantial bodily harm results from an attack by a dog known to be vicious, its owner or keeper is guilty of a category D felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130. In lieu of, or in addition to, a penalty provided in this subsection, the judge may order the vicious dog to be humanely destroyed.

6. A local authority shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation that deems a dog dangerous or vicious based solely on the breed of the dog.

7. This section does not apply to a dog used by a law enforcement officer in the performance of his or her duty.

8. As used in this section, “local authority” means the governing board of a county, city or other political subdivision having authority to enact laws or ordinances or promulgate regulations relating to dogs.

Credits
Added by C&P (1911), § 176. NRS amended by Laws 1967, p. 488; Laws 1993, p. 2887; Laws 1995, p. 1209; Laws 2013, c. 121, § 1.

 
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