Ventura County Dog Bite Laws

Ventura County has yet to put in place any county ordinances that pertain to dangerous dogs. However, there are several laws relating to dog licensing and maintenance that apply to responsible dog ownership. These laws are all covered under Chapter 4 of Division 4 under the county's code.

4411 License tag requirements

Every person who resides in the unincorporated areas of the County of Ventura and who   who owns, harbors or keeps any dog over the age of four (4) months for thirty (30) days or longer shall obtain a current license and license tag issues under the provisions of this Code and stamped with the year in which the license was issued. The license tag obtained shall be attached to a substantial collar or harness, which shall be worn by the dog at all times except as provided in Section 4411-1. Every person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of an infraction. Any dog found without a current license tag or for which there is no current license may be taken up and impounded by the Poundmaster or any peace officer.

4421-3 Prohibition against unaltered dog or cat

Every person who owns a dog or cat over the age of four months that is kept in the unincorporated areas of the County of Ventura is required to have such dog or cat spayed or neutered unless an exception applies under Section 4421-4. Nothing in this Section shall make veterinarians mandatory reporters of animals that have not been spayed or neutered.

4461 Leash Law

It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to be on any public street, alley, lane, park of place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in the unincorporated areas of the county unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible capable of controlling such dog. It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored or controlled by him or her to be on any private property in the unincorporated areas of the County without the permission of the person owning or occupying said property. Every person who violates any of the provisions of this Section is guilty of an infraction.

4467 Animal nuisances.

Any animal, except an animal kept or controlled by a governmental agency, which has committed any one or more of any of the following acts is a public nuisance: (a) An unprovoked infliction of physical injury upon any person where such person is conducting himself or herself lawfully. (b) Unprovoked threatening behavior toward any person where such person is conducting himself or herself lawfully which occurs in such circumstances as to cause such person reasonably to fear for his or her physical safety. (c) The utterance of barks or cries which are so loud, so frequent and continued over so long a period of time as to deprive persons residing in two or more residences in the neighborhood of the comfortable enjoyment of their homes. (d) An unprovoked infliction of physical injury upon any other animal which occurs off the property of the owner or keeper of the animal inflicting the injury. (e) The damaging of the real or personal property of some person other than the owner or keeper of the animal which occurs off the property of the owner or keeper of the animal. (f) The dumping of trash cans or the spreading of trash which occurs off the property of the owner or keeper of the animal. (g) The chasing of pedestrians, vehicles or ridden horses which occurs off the property of the owner or keeper of the chasing animal. Such public nuisance may be abated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 4467-1 through 4467-10. Such procedures are in addition to any other remedies which may be available under the law.

4468 Destruction of wild dogs.

Any dog which is running at large and which is by reason of its vicious disposition dangerous to persons or property may be shot by any peace officer or taken up and destroyed in a humane manner by the Poundmaster.

Seeking Legal Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack in Ventura County, the experienced dog bite lawyers at Bisnar Chase can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Injured victims of dog bites can seek compensation for damages from negligent pet owners for medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization and pain and suffering. Our knowledgeable dog bite attorneys have successfully handled these types of cases on a regular basis and understand the laws and local statutes, which pertain to dog attack cases.