Legal Rights of Dog Owners vs. Community Safety Concerns
As dog ownership continues to rise across the United States, so too do questions about the legal responsibilities of pet owners—and the rights of communities to feel safe. Striking the right balance between protecting individual rights, securing animal’s rights, and ensuring public safety is a key challenge in animal law.
Dog owners in particular, must remember, in most jurisdictions, animals are considered personal property (with certain protections regarding care, abuse, and neglect) and owners are required to maintain control over their animals, at all times. That means that if your animal damages property or harms a person, you can be held legally and financially responsible. In most jurisdictions, with the exceptions of your own property and designated dog parks, dogs must be leashed at all times. This can be at odds with the natural behaviors of dogs and can be very hard for people passionate about the rights of animals to recognize. While pet owners have a legal right to enjoy the companionship of their pets, the community has rights too.
Communities have a vested interest in public safety, particularly when it comes to dog bites or attacks. In addition to leash laws, local ordinances often include breed-specific restrictions, and "dangerous dog" designations. Unfortunately, these laws can be unevenly enforced and sometimes rooted in bias rather than behavior. In some cases, owners have had their dogs confiscated or destroyed based on fear or misinformation, without the chance to present evidence or challenge the allegations.
At Litigation for Animal Welfare, we advocate for fair, evidence-based policies that uphold the rights of responsible pet owners and the rights of dogs, while ensuring communities are protected. That includes due process protections in “dangerous dog” cases, better training for animal control officers, and community education to reduce preventable incidents.
Dog ownership is both a right and a responsibility. With thoughtful legal frameworks and advocacy, we can protect animals, their people, and the public—without compromise.
Today, find out about your local ordinances by going to your town, city, or county website.
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