Municipal Ordinance Violations - Certain home rule municipalities have created Dangerous Animal and Potentially Dangerous Animal ordinances.  These ordinances are cited by Animal Control Officers when a dog is charged with attacking a person or animal without provocation.  It's an affirmative defense to these charges if the dog was provoked. These ordinances in some municipalities have been enacted as civil infractions.  If you are charged with an ordinance violation for harboring a dangerous animal it's important to know whether or not it's a civil infraction or a criminal offense as this distinction determines your rights.  The penalty for a civil infraction can include fines but does not include imprisonment.  The penalty for a criminal offense includes up to a year of imprisonment.

MCCLUSKEY LAW OFFICE
303-698-1603