Laws on Dogs

Statutes

CGS 22-364(a)

CGS 22-364(a) Prohibits an “owner or keeper of any dog (from allowing) such dog to roam at large upon the land of another and not under control of the owner or keeper or the agent of the owner or keeper.”

This statute also prohibits dog roaming on public highways. Any violations of these subsection provisions are infractions for which tickets may be written.

CGS 22-332(a)

CGS 22-332(a) Animal Control Officers may impound such roaming dogs, as well as those that unlicensed, found “injured on any highway”, “neglected, abandoned or cruelly treated.”

CGS 362

CGS 362 allows fines for the owner of a dog that habitually goes out onto public highways and “growl, bites or snaps at, or otherwise annoys any person or domestic lawfully using such highway.”

CGS 22-363

CGS 22-363 states that “no person shall own or harbor a dog or dogs which is or are a nuisance by reason of vicious disposition or excessive barking or other disturbance or, by such barking or other disturbance, is or are a source of annoyance to any sick person residing in the immediate vicinity.”

Penalties include fines, imprisonment and restraint or disposal of the dogs.

CGS-357 Damage to person or property

If any dog does any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner,...shall be liable for such damage, except when such damage has been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trepass...or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog."

Source

These statute excerpts were extracted from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities publication (October 2002). To reference these and other dog-related statutes, please refer to the Connecticut General Statutes.

Owner Liability

Owners of roaming dogs are liable to prosecution, and dog owners are liable for damage done by your dog, including damage to shrubs, flowers, or trees.