What are the dog laws in Utah? Does Utah have dog laws? If you live in this state, you might be wondering what the law says about issues like rabies vaccination, dog bites, dog cruelty, and dog chains.
Read on for more information about dog laws in Utah.
What Dog Vaccines Are Required by Law in Utah?
All dogs residing in Utah must receive a rabies vaccination by four months of age. This must be done when the dog is old enough to safely receive their first shot, typically eight weeks of age. After their first vaccination, owners must vaccinate dogs either annually or triannually depending on the vaccination they receive. Even friendly dogs may bite on occasion under stressful circumstances, so it’s best to practice safety first and always keep your dog up to date on their recommended vaccines.
In Utah, regardless of vaccination, dogs who have been exposed to rabies will have a ten-day quarantine. This is often performed by allowing the dog to stay contained in the owner’s home for vaccinated dogs.
What Are the Dog Bite Laws in Utah?
Utah is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. What this means is that, even for dogs who have no prior dangerous behavior, owners are wholly liable when it comes to their dog’s actions. The only real exceptions to these cases are usually abnormal circumstances, like a dog biting a trespasser.
In some cases, the law won’t consider dogs aggressors in attacks, even if they’ve previously proven that the dog is dangerous. Dog owners are not responsible for attacks in which someone provokes the dog, or the dog is protecting the owner. This could include yelling at, hitting, or throwing objects at the dog. Additionally, if you trespass on private property and then an otherwise contained dog attacks you, the dog’s owner isn’t liable.
Additionally, in some cases, there may be a ‘common sense’ prohibition on finding a dog owner liable. For example, most people know to leave an eating dog or a mother with puppies alone. Bothering an animal when you could predict aggressive behavior will not always result in liability for the owner.
A dangerous dog, particularly a repeat offender, may get euthanized if this is determined to be in the best interest of the safety of the community. After one documented bite, the state of Utah considers a dog vicious. This means that subsequent bites may lead to euthanasia. Additionally, a severe enough attack could lead the court to determine euthanasia is the best course of action even for a first offender.
What Are Utah Dog Abandonment Laws?
What is considered animal abandonment in Utah?
Utah State Legislature states that “abandon” means to “intentionally deposit, leave, or drop off any live animal: (A) without providing for the care of that animal, in accordance with accepted animal husbandry practices or customary farming practices; or (B) in a situation where conditions present an immediate, direct, and serious threat to the life, safety, or health of the animal”.
What is the punishment for animal abandonment in Utah?
Although it depends on the situation, this would most likely be classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor, which is what ‘reckless or negligent’ animal cruelty charges result in in the state of Utah.
Who pays for an abandoned dog’s vet care in Utah?
Utah law determines that when an owner abandons an animal, they relinquish all rights to them. However, the old owner may still be responsible for costs of care in cases such as abandonment at a boarding kennel.
What Are Utah Dog Cruelty Laws?
What is considered dog cruelty in Utah?
Utah has a wide range of defined actions that are viewed as animal cruelty. Of course, it is illegal to hit, kick, beat, or otherwise inflict physical pain or suffering on a dog. Unless, it’s in the case of self-defense or an otherwise justifiable action. The state also considers it animal cruelty to deprive a dog of things that one could reasonably assume they need – food, water, shelter, exercise, vet care.
What is the punishment for dog cruelty in Utah?
Animal cruelty in Utah is most commonly associated with a misdemeanor charge – intentional cruelty being Class B, negligent cruelty being Class C. However, Utah considers it aggravated cruelty to kill or seriously injure a pet on purpose and in a sadistic manner, or with the intention of causing extreme pain. Aggravated animal cruelty is a felony charge, not a misdemeanor.
What is the punishment for dogfighting in Utah?
As in the other 49 states, dogfighting is a felony in Utah. This doesn’t apply only to those directly fighting their animals. Charges can also occur for those betting on or attending dogfights in Utah. It’s also illegal to train dogs for the intent of fighting, even if you aren’t directly participating in dogfights. In Utah, attending a dogfight is a Class B misdemeanor, even if you have no dogs in the fight.
What Are Utah Dog Chain Laws?
Tethering or chaining a dog is legal in Utah. However, Utah has regulations in place intended to protect tethered dogs from harm. Breaking Utah’s tethering laws is illegal, and could result in an animal cruelty charge in severe cases. Utah has a long list of tethering laws– but under close examination, most of these laws are pretty common-sense dog ownership.
For example, “it is unlawful for an owner or handler to tether a dog in any manner that would cause injury or damage to the dog, or when restriction of freedom of movement would endanger a dog. A tether must be of sufficient length to provide the dog with adequate space and with access to food, water, and shelter”. All that the state asks the owner is that they treat their dog humanely.
How Does Utah Dog Law Rank Against Other States?
The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks Utah #46 out of all 50 US States for animal protection laws. This makes Utah a ‘bottom-tier’ state by its standards. Why does Utah rank so low?
Overall, this state’s animal protection laws are poorly developed. There are no felony provisions for sexual assault of animals, or for negligent or reckless animal neglect or abandonment. While this doesn’t affect dog ownership, Utah has an ag-gag law, which lowers their score for animal protection. Additionally, there are no provisions for pre-conviction restitution or forfeiture of cruelly treated animals.
