Colorado legal term
Dangerous dog in Colorado Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Colorado legislative session
In Colorado criminal law, “Dangerous dog” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Colorado criminal code.
What does “Dangerous dog” mean in Colorado criminal law?
"Dangerous dog" means any dog that: (I) Inflicts bodily or serious bodily injury upon or causes the death of a person or domestic animal; or (II) Demonstrates tendencies that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the dog may inflict bodily or serious bodily injury upon or cause the death of any person or domestic animal; or (III) Engages in or is trained for animal fighting as described and prohibited in section 18-9-204. (C.R.S. § 18-9-204.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.