§ 31645 Vicious Dog Destruction Rules

Food and Agricultural Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

Key Takeaways

•If a dog is considered very dangerous, it can be put down to keep people safe.
•If the dog isn't put down, the owner must follow strict rules to keep others safe.
•The dog's enclosure must meet specific safety requirements.

Example

A dog bites a neighbor and is deemed vicious by animal control.

If the dog is found to be a serious threat, it might be put down. If not, the owner must follow rules like keeping the dog in a secure enclosure to prevent future attacks.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 31645 Vicious Dog Destruction Rules

(a) A dog determined to be a vicious dog may be destroyed by the animal control department when it is found, after proceedings conducted under Article 2 (commencing with Section 31621), that the release of the dog would create a significant threat to the public health, safety, and welfare. (b) If it is determined that a dog found to be vicious shall not be destroyed, the judicial authority shall impose conditions upon the ownership of the dog that protect the public health, safety, and welfare. (c) Any enclosure that is required pursuant to subdivision (b) shall meet the requirements of Section 31605. (Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 761, Sec. 1.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

vicious dog significant threat public health, safety, and welfare Article 2 Section 31605

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 31645.

§ 31645 Vicious Dog Destruction Rules

Food and Agricultural Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 31645 Vicious Dog Destruction Rules

Key Takeaways

•If a dog is considered very dangerous, it can be put down to keep people safe.
•If the dog isn't put down, the owner must follow strict rules to keep others safe.
•The dog's enclosure must meet specific safety requirements.

Example

A dog bites a neighbor and is deemed vicious by animal control.

If the dog is found to be a serious threat, it might be put down. If not, the owner must follow rules like keeping the dog in a secure enclosure to prevent future attacks.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 31645 Vicious Dog Destruction Rules

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

vicious dog significant threat public health, safety, and welfare Article 2 Section 31605

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 31645.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References