{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-1903","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 8-1903","heading":"Consequences of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog determination.","body":"(a)\nIf the Mayor determines that a dog is a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog, the owner shall comply with the requirements of §§ 8-1904 and 8-1905 and any other special security or care requirements the Mayor may establish.\n\n(b)\nIf a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog has been impounded and determined to pose a threat to public safety, the Mayor may only return the dog to its owner if the owner has:\n(1)\nMet the registration requirements of § 8-1904;\n(2)\nAgreed to comply with the requirements of § 8-1905, where necessary; and\n(3)\nMet or agreed to comply with any additional security or care requirements established by the Mayor.\n\n(c)\nThe Mayor may humanely destroy a dog if:\n(1)\nThe dog has been determined to be a threat to public safety if it is returned to the owner;\n(2)\nThe owner fails to comply with the registration requirements of § 8-1904, the requirements of § 8-1905, or any special security or care requirements established by the Mayor;\n(3)\nThe owner fails to reimburse the animal control agency for the costs and expenses of the dog’s impoundment as required by § 8-1902(d)(2); or\n(4)\nThe owner forfeits the dog for humane destruction.","path":["Title 8. Environmental and Animal Control and Protection.","Chapter 19. Dangerous Dogs."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/8-1903","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"6fb2a313f7e9c9aee422ad20b70252c2b457f99b1ca11822a57b4526f0014465","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-1902","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-1904"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}