Chapter 6.20 - ATTACKING, VICIOUS AND NUISANCE ANIMALS

Part of the Code of Ordinances of South Salt Lake, UT.

Local law · Updated May 27, 2026 · 1,732 sections

The text

Division I. - Attack, Bites, and Nuisance#

6.20.010 - Animal attack.#

It is unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any animal, even if such care or custody is temporary, to allow that animal to attack any person, domestic animal or fowl, or any species of protected wildlife. The person having charge, care, custody or control is strictly liable for this offense.

In addition to being subject to prosecution under subsection A of this section, the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of such animal shall also be strictly liable in damages to any person injured, for any property damaged, or to the owner of any animal injured or destroyed thereby.

Defenses. It is an affirmative defense if:

The attacking animal was deliberately or maliciously provoked;

The attacking animal was properly restrained on private property which was clearly marked with signs warning against trespassing, and was reacting to a trespasser on the property.

It is not a defense that a victim's injuries were caused by falling or attempting to break up a fight between animals.

When more than one animal or person is injured as a result of the attack, there are multiple violations in the same amount as the number of victims.

A violation of this section is a class C misdemeanor, unless the animal causes bodily injury due to a bite, in which case it is a class B misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.020 - Animal chasing or worrying another.#

In cases not amounting to a violation of Section 6.16.010, it is unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any animal, even if such care or custody is temporary, to allow that animal to chase or worry any person, domestic animal or fowl, or any species of protected wildlife.

A judge or the administrative law judge may impose a six-month muzzling order for any animal found to have engaged in conduct in violation of this section.

A violation of this section is an infraction.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.030 - Vicious animals.#

Any animal which bites or attacks a person or animal in violation of Section 6.16.010 is deemed a vicious animal for a period of two years and may be subject to a muzzling, destruction or removal order, as determined by the supervisor. If, at the conclusion of two years from the date of determination, the animal has not been found running at large and has not attacked any other person or animal, it shall no longer be deemed a vicious animal.

Vicious animals are subject to additional fees. The owners of vicious animals must pay these additional fees and provide proof of liability insurance in an amount determined in the consolidated fee schedule, prior to redeeming the animal.

It is unlawful for a vicious animal to be off the premises of the owner unless the animal is under restraint and properly muzzled so as to prevent it from injuring any person or animal.

Vicious animals are prohibited from participating in off-leash areas of public parks.

Any animal which bites or attacks a person or animal in violation of Section 6.16.010 for a second time during the life of that animal shall be permanently deemed a vicious animal and subject to removal or destruction orders, as determined by the supervisor.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.040 - Muzzling orders.#

Any judge may order the owner of any animal which has engaged in conduct in violation of this chapter to muzzle the animal when it is in public places. The muzzling order shall also require adequate restraint of the animal at all times to prevent the animal from leaving private property on its own.

All vicious animals are subject to muzzling orders so long as they are deemed vicious animals.

An owner or person with charge, care, custody or possession of an animal subject to a muzzling order, shall not permit that animal to enter public property or the property of another without the muzzle in place.

It is not a defense to a violation of this section that the animal removed the muzzle or escaped from the premises without the owner's knowledge.

A violation of this section is a class B misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.050 - Removal orders.#

An order of removal may be issued by the supervisor if an animal has:

Attacked or worried another person or animal on more than one occasion within a one-month period, not leading to bodily injury;

Bitten a person;

Been treated cruelly, neglected or abused; or

Has run at large on more than one occasion during the previous twelve (12) months.

When the removal order takes effect, the supervisor may place the animal with another owner or agency, or otherwise dispose of the animal in accordance with this chapter, at the supervisor's sole discretion.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.060 - Destruction orders.#

An order of destruction may be issued by the supervisor if an animal has:

On more than one occasion within a twelve-month period bitten a person or animal;

Inflicted substantial bodily injury on a person in a single attack;

Bitten multiple people and/or animals in a single incident; or

Has bitten a person or animal, and in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian is substantially likely to attack again.

Upon receiving a destruction order, the supervisor may dispose of the animal or place it with another owner or agency, at the supervisor's sole discretion.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.070 - Duty to report bites.#

Any person having knowledge of any individual or animal having been bitten by an animal of any species subject to rabies shall report the incident immediately to the animal control division or to the Salt Lake County health department.

The owner of an animal that bites a person and any person bitten by an animal shall report the bite to the animal control division, South Salt Lake City police department, or the Salt Lake County health department immediately after the bite, regardless of whether or not the biting animal is of a species subject to rabies.

A physician or other medical personnel who renders professional treatment within the city to a person bitten by an animal shall report the fact that he or she has rendered treatment within twenty-four (24) hours of the first professional attendance. The physician shall state the name, sex and address of the person bitten as well as the type and location of the bite or other information necessary to ascertain the immunization status of the biting animal.

Any person treating an animal bitten, injured or mauled by another animal shall report the incident to the animal control division. The report shall contain the name and address of the owner of the wounded, injured or bitten animal, the name and address of the owner and description of the animal which caused the injury, and the location of the incident.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.080 - Nuisance animals.#

Any owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of an animal causing a nuisance is in violation of this section.

A nuisance animal is one which:

Causes damage to the property of anyone other than its owner;

Has committed a second offense of Section 6.16.020 of this chapter within a twelve-month period;

Causes unreasonable fouling of the air by odors;

Causes unsanitary conditions in enclosures or surroundings;

Defecates on any public sidewalk, park or building, or on any private property on more than one occasion without the consent of the owner of such private property owner, unless the owner or custodian promptly removes the defecation;

Barks, whines or howls or makes other disturbing noises in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion, and at least one person's peace and repose is substantially or repeatedly disrupted by the noise;

Is found running at large on more than one occasion within a twelve-month period; or

Molests passers by or chases passing vehicles on more than one occasion during a one-month period.

Nuisance animals are subject to additional fees, in an amount determined by the consolidated fee schedule.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

Division II. - Rabies Prevention#

6.20.090 - Rabies vaccinations.#

Rabies vaccinations, as approved by the Salt Lake County health department board of health, are required for dogs, cats, ferrets, or any other animal which is kept and is susceptible to rabies. The owner or person having the charge, care, custody and control of a cat, dog, or ferret which is six months of age or older, shall have the animal vaccinated within thirty (30) days after it reaches six months. Other vaccination requirements are those set out in the laws of the state of Utah.

Any person permitting any such animal to habitually be on or remain, or be lodged or fed within such person's house, yard or premises shall be responsible for such vaccination.

Unvaccinated dogs or cats over six months of age acquired by the owner or moved into the city must be vaccinated within or before thirty (30) days of purchase or arrival.

Owners shall maintain current certifications of vaccination prepared by a veterinarian.

This section does not apply to licensed veterinarian or kennel operators temporarily maintaining on their premises animals owned by others.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.100 - Duties of veterinarians and tag requirements.#

Each veterinarian, when vaccinating any animal for rabies, is required to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination (in duplicate) which includes the following information:

Owner's name and address;

Description of animal (breed, sex, markings, age, name);

Date of vaccination;

Rabies vaccination tag number;

Type of rabies vaccine administered; and

Manufacturer's serial number of vaccine.

A copy of the certificate shall be distributed to the owner and original retained by the issuing veterinarian. The veterinarian and the owner shall retain their copies of the certificate for the interval between vaccinations specified in this section.

A metal or durable plastic rabies vaccination tag, serially numbered, shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the animal. A dog not wearing such a tag shall be deemed to be unvaccinated and may be impounded and dealt with pursuant to this chapter.

The provisions of this chapter with respect to vaccination shall not apply to any animal owned by a person temporarily remaining within the city for less than thirty (30) days. Such animals shall be kept under strict supervision of the owner. It is unlawful to bring any animal into the city which does not comply with the animal and health laws and import regulations.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.110 - Impoundment of animals without valid rabies vaccination tag.#

Any vaccinated animal impounded due to failure to wear a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.

Any unvaccinated animal may be reclaimed prior to disposal by payment of impound fees and by obtaining a rabies vaccination within seventy-two (72) hours of release. Failure to provide proof of timely vaccination within seven days of vaccination is an infraction.

Any animal not reclaimed prior to the period shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.08.080.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.120 - Reporting rabid animals.#

Any person who has knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have been exposed to, or suspected of having rabies, or an animal or person bitten by such a suspect animal, shall notify the animal control division, the Salt Lake County health department or the Utah Division of Health.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.130 - Quarantine and disposition of biting animals.#

All animals of a species which can carry rabies which bite other animals, or which show signs of having rabies, shall be reported by the owner and immediately confined in a secure place by the owner. The owner shall turn over the animal to the animal control division upon demand.

Any animal of a species subject to rabies that bites a person or animal or is suspected of having rabies may be seized and quarantined for observation for a period of not less than ten days by the animal control division or the Salt Lake County health department.

Other arrangements, including confinement by an owner, may be made by the supervisor if the animal had a current rabies vaccination at the time the bite was inflicted, or in the event of other special circumstances justifying an exception. The person who has custody of an animal under quarantine shall immediately notify animal services if the animal shows any signs of sickness or abnormal behavior, or if the animal escapes confinement. It is unlawful to prevent an animal control officer from inspecting or examining the animal during the period of quarantine.

If an animal dies within ten days from the date of the bite, the person having custody shall immediately notify the supervisor or immediately remove and deliver the head of the animal to the state health laboratory to be examined for rabies.

If, at the end of the ten-day quarantine period, the supervisor finds no sign of rabies, then the animal may be returned to the owner, removed, or destroyed in accordance with the other provisions of this title.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.140 - Disposition of unvaccinated bitten animals.#

If an unvaccinated animal species subject to rabies is bitten by a known rabid animal, then the exposed animal should be immediately destroyed.

If the owner of an unvaccinated animal is unwilling to destroy the bitten or exposed animal, the animal shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for sixty (60) days under veterinary supervision, the cost of such confinement to be paid in advance by the owner. The animal may only be released from quarantine at the conclusion of this period if, in the opinion of the veterinarian, the animal is not infected with rabies.

The animal shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.150 - Disposition of vaccinated bitten animals.#

If a bitten or exposed animal has been vaccinated, the animal shall be re-vaccinated within twenty-four (24) hours and quarantined for a period of ten (10) days following re-vaccination.

If the animal is not re-vaccinated within twenty-four (24) hours, the animal shall be isolated and quarantined under veterinary supervision for thirty (30) days. The animal may only be released from quarantine at the conclusion of this period if, in the opinion of the veterinarian, the animal is not infected with rabies.

The animal shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with this section.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.160 - Removal of quarantined animal unlawful.#

Removing any animal from the place of quarantine without written permission of the supervisor is a class B misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)