Connecticut Dog Laws: Rabies, Dog Bites, Abandonment, and Cruelty

What are the dog laws in Connecticut? Does Connecticut 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 abandonment, or dog cruelty.

Read on for more information about dog laws in Connecticut.

In Connecticut, any dog over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies. Rabies vaccinations must be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Dogs must wear a tag at all times in order to show proof the animal has been vaccinated. After their first vaccine, dogs must be vaccinated the next year. After this second vaccine, they may receive their vaccines on a three-year schedule. There are no medical exemptions for rabies vaccinations in the state of Connecticut.

If an unvaccinated dog bites someone, they are subject to a fourteen day day quarantine. Dogs displaying symptoms of rabies during this time will face euthanasia for testing. If they do not, they will return home, but must be subsequently vaccinated.

Connecticut is fairly strict regarding consequences for dog bite incidents. In these cases, the law almost always sides with the victim of the bite. Connecticut practices “strict liability” regarding these cases. Connecticut’s dog bite statute (CGS § 22-357) makes a dog’s owner or keeper liable for injuries caused by the dog to someone else’s person or property.

This means that a dog owner is liable for an aggressive dog even if the attack could not be reasonably prevented. For example, consider someone visits your house. Your dog has never been previously aggressive, and is in a crate. However, your visitor chooses to put their hand in through the bars of the crate, and the dog bites. Although you took precautions, you would still be liable for your dog’s bite.

There are cases where dogs will not be liable as aggressors in attacks. Dog owners are not responsible for attacks in which the dog was provoked or protecting the owner. This could include yelling at, hitting, or throwing objects at the dog. Additionally, if you were trespassing on private property and then were attacked by an otherwise contained dog, the dog’s owner would not be liable.

A dangerous dog, particularly a repeat offender, may be euthanized if this is determined to be in the best interest of the safety of the community. After one documented bite, a dog is considered vicious in the state of Connecticut. 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.

In Connecticut, the law prohibits animal abandonment. However, the law fails to really define what this constitutes. Animal abandonment is always dangerous to animals and people that may encounter them. It’s always better to surrender a pet to a shelter or rescue if you cannot keep them. While there’s little applying to cases of abandonment by the sides of roads, in parks, or other cases where there’s no custodian for the animal, there is regulations regarding abandoning your dog at a business. If a dog is left at a veterinary clinic, boarding kennel, or with another caretaker and not claimed past ten days of the agreed upon pickup date, the dog becomes custody of the new caretaker.

In Connecticut, animal cruelty is most often a misdemeanor. Animal cruelty can have serious consequences. Even first offenders can face jail time and large fines. Consequently, repeat offenders face harsher sentencing. In Connecticut, a second animal cruelty charge is a Class D Felony. Aggravated animal cruelty carries heavier charges. This is when an act of cruelty results in severe suffering, disfigurement, or death of the animal. Aggravated animal cruelty in Connecticut is always a Class D felony, which can lead to prison time.

As in the other 49 states, dogfighting is a felony in Connecticut. This doesn’t apply only to those directly fighting their animals. It also applies to promoters or spectators of these events. Yes — watching a dogfight is also a felony.

It is not illegal to tether dogs in Connecticut. However, there is a long list of regulations concerning tethering here. Without proper restrictions, tethering can be dangerous to dogs. As a rule of thumb, provide tethered dogs with accessible shelter, and at least ten feet of clean and maintained space. Never tether to a collar that could potentially choke or strangle the dog. In Connecticut, attaching a choke collar or similar device to a tethered dog is illegal. Additionally, tethered dogs should never remain outside during severe weather. A first violation of Connecticut’s tethering ordinance results in a $100 fine. A second offense ranges between $250-500.

Connecticut ranks as a “middle-tier” state for animal protection laws by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Out of all 50 states, Connecticut comes in at number 31 for animal rights. There are some good things about Connecticut’s animal defense laws. For example, social services professionals must report suspected animal abuse in Connecticut. However, there’s still lots of room to improve. Connecticut doesn’t well-define animal care standards, leaving lots of wiggle room for potential animal neglect.