§ 31603 Vicious Dog Definition

Food and Agricultural Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•A dog is called 'vicious' if it hurts or kills a person without being provoked.
•If a dog was already warned for being dangerous and still acts badly, it can be called 'vicious'.
•Owners must follow rules to keep a dangerous dog, or it can become 'vicious'.

Example

A dog bites a neighbor badly even though the neighbor didn’t do anything to scare or hurt the dog.

This dog could be called 'vicious' because it hurt someone without a reason.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 31603 Vicious Dog Definition

“Vicious dog” means either of the following: (a) Any dog that, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being. (b) Any dog previously determined to be and currently listed as a potentially dangerous dog that, after its owner or keeper has been notified of this determination, continues the behavior described in Section 31602 or is maintained in violation of Section 31641, 31642, or 31643. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 60. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

vicious dog potentially dangerous dog severe injury unprovoked aggressive manner

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 31603.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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