NOTE: This process relates to incidents that happen in the unincorporated areas of Lane County.  If the incident happened in an incorporated city, please contact that city's animal control agency.  View a list of those phone numbers.
Thank you!

Helpful Links - find on this page in the left side bar

My dog is not vicious!

The Lane County dangerous dog code has a number of subsections established for specific situations involving everything from dogs running at large and menacing a person or animal, to biting a person or killing another animal.  Some dogs have vicious intentions whether provoked or unprovoked.  Dogs that typically display a friendly type of behavior can end up creating a dangerous situation and can therefore be classified by the court as displaying dangerous behavior. 

Example:  A person is walking their leashed dog down the sidewalk.  A little dog named Fluffy runs off his property, down the sidewalk directly behind the person and their dog.  Maybe Fluffy just wanted to say hello. However, the person and their dog are startled and uncertain of Fluffy's intentions.  The startled dog pulls it's leash away from the owner's grip, knocking them to the ground then the dog dashes into the street. The dog gets hit by a car resulting in a serious injury.
 
This can be a very traumatic and costly situation for all involved.  Due to Fluffy's behavior (being at large and out of his owner's control), without meaning to, he has created a very dangerous situation.  The dog owner not only is in violation of the Lane Code, but may be responsible for the victim's medical and vet bills, restitution for their injured or lost pet, and potential civil liabilities for the vehicle damage or injuries sustained by the driver of the vehicle.  This may seem like an elaborate example, however the story comes from a very real and unfortunate situation.

There are many different scenarios that could result in a dog being classified by the court as exhibiting dangerous behavior. The story as explained above may not be the typical situation, but is one of many reasons a dog may be classified. For further detail on how or why a dog may be classified, please review the Lane County code definition of animal owner in section 7.005 and the dangerous behavior section of Lane County Code 7.130.
 
Please, be a responsible pet owner! 

Dog training tips

General Info 

• These types of complaints are not anonymous.
• A witnessed incident may be filed anytime within 3 weeks from the incident date.
• Anyone has the right to request public information (reports, dispatch records, etc.). A records request form may be obtained from LCAS. View info on the records request process.
• A DB dog owner has the right to due process.  In these situations, impoundment and/or euthanasia seldom occurs and usually only happens in the following circumstances:
  • Impoundment - when it's mandatory per Lane Code 7.045(4)  / 7.130 (3c-e).
  • Impoundment - if the dog is still at large at time of incident and the owner is unavailable for contact to re-confine the dog.
  • Euthanasia - if the dog owner chooses this option (with court approval).
  • Euthanasia - due to repeat serious offences, by court order. 
  • Euthanasia - if the dog is impounded for failure to comply with the court order and the dog owner does not make arrangements to comply and redeem their dog within the required time frame, and the dog is found to be unadoptable to a new owner.  If the dog is found to be adoptable, the new owner must comply with the existing court ordered restrictions.
• Once a dog is classified by the court, the classification/probation term is usually 1 to 3 years.
• The dog owner is not required to appear in court at the end of the probation term. If all the restrictions have been maintained, the file is automatically closed and the dog is declassified.
• Classified dogs are not allowed in the LCAS customer service center. 

• May contact the owner either in person or by phone for the interview.
• May not follow-up with the complainant directly, unless requested.
• Provide the dog owner with info pertaining to the laws.
• Will check the status of dog license records for the complainant and dog owner. 
• Inform the dog owner that any further related incidents that occur within a six month time frame may result in a formal complaint being filed against them.
• Attempt to resolve the situation for the safety and welfare of all involved.

• Will call to make an appt. with the complainant to obtain their signed statement, take photos, explain the process, and answer questions.
• May ask the complainant for an in-person I.D. of the dog involved in the alleged incident.
• Contact the dog owner to explain the process, take photos and issue citation(s). The dog owner will be given an arraignment date which is written at the bottom of the citation. The owner must decide how they will plead and notify the court of their decision by the arraignment date.
• The Officer prepares his report and sends to the Lane County Justice Court in Florence. 

Impoundment - pending a dangerous dog classification

Per Lane Code 7.045 subsection (4), it is mandatory that the dog involved in the alleged violation be impounded under the following conditions:  The violation is alleged to be a Class A of the Lane Code 7.130, subsection 3 c through e.  The dog must remain impounded until the dog owner either complies with the court ordered restrictions, or the court dismisses the case.
Impound and board fees may apply.
 
For info on impound/board fees, please contact the Greenhill Humane Society.

Dog Owner's Rights - Trial Options

Not-Guilty Plea:

• Dog owner contacts the court to request a trial.
• Court sets the date, sends a trial notice to dog owner and a copy to LCAS.
• LCAS mails a trial notice to the complainant/witness. The trial notice will include info such as the date, time, and location of the trial along with instructions on how to request a continuance.

• Filling out a consent to drop charges form in person at LCAS.
• Complainant must show photo I.D. at the time the form is signed.
• The form must be signed prior to the DB judgment being entered by the court.

The probation term for DB restrictions compliance is usually 1 to 3 years.

The judge may revise, or impose some or all of the restrictions.
 
The following is an example of a DB court order:

The Defendant has __ been found __ pleaded guilty of a dangerous behavior violation.
The defendant is ordered to comply with the restrictions imposed in this judgment for
a period of ___ years. Failure to comply can result in new charges being filed for
violation of restrictions ($816 fine) and/or contempt of court, which carries a potential fine
of up to $500 per violation and/or up to 6 months in jail per violation.  

• The dog shall be confined in a secure enclosure whenever the dog is not inside the home of the owner/caretaker.

• Dog shall be on a leash under owner/caretaker’s control when off the owner/caretaker’s property.

• The owner shall post warning signs specifying the dog has engaged in dangerous behavior. Signs are purchased from Lane County Animal Services.
• The owner shall pay an additional annual dangerous behavior-licensing fee.
• The owner shall purchase from Lane County Animal Services a collar and tag indicating the dog has exhibited dangerous behavior. The dog shall wear the collar and tag.  Failure to have the dog wear the collar and tag is a violation. Collars, tags and signs must be purchased within 14 days from the date of this Judgment.
• Secure enclosure of (dog's name) shall be maintained, with inspection by Lane County Animal Services no later than (date).
• Defendant shall pay a fine of $____ and restitution to (victims name) within 60 days of this order.
• Defendant shall keep the court informed of his/her address.
• Defendant shall not dispose of the dog without prior court approval.
• Defendant shall obey all animal control laws.
• Defendant shall cooperate with Lane County Animal Services.

• Defendant shall not use abusive or foul language toward animal services staff.

• Lane County Animal Services employees may inspect the premises and condition of the dog.

• Defendant shall not contact the victim in this case.

• Proof of spay or neuter to be provided to the court by (date).

• Defendant and dog shall complete an animal obedience class and provide proof of completion to the court by (date).

• Defendant shall not obtain any more animals during the restrictions period.

After Receiving The Court Order

Compliance

The court order will include compliance due dates.  Compliance restrictions may include that the dog owner obtain a muzzle for their dog which may be purchased from any pet store of their choice.

Restrictions may also include that a secure enclosure be built and inspected by the Animal Welfare Officer prior to it's use.  For more info on enclosure building requirements, please review 'Secure Enclosure' on the definitions page of the Lane County Code 7.005.

The following compliance license tag, collars, and sign are to be purchased from Lane County Animal Services. It is not required or recommended that you bring the dog with you to purchase compliance supplies.

License and supply charges: