2026 Nevada Revised StatutesChapter 202 – Crimes Against Public Health And SafetyNRS 202.500 Dangerous or vicious dogs: Unlawful acts; penalties.

Statutory Text

1.  For the purposes of this section, a dog is:

(a) “Dangerous” if:

(1) It is so declared pursuant to subsection 2; or

(2) Without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, it behaved menacingly, to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend himself or herself against substantial bodily harm, when the dog was:

(I) Off the premises of its owner or keeper; or

(II) Not confined in a cage, pen or vehicle.

(b) “Provoked” when it is tormented or subjected to pain.

(c) “Vicious” if:

(1) Without being provoked, it killed or inflicted substantial bodily harm upon a human being; or

(2) After its owner or keeper had been notified by a law enforcement agency that the dog is dangerous, the dog continued the behavior described in paragraph (a).

2.  A dog may be declared dangerous by a law enforcement agency if it is used in the commission of a crime by its owner or keeper.

3.  A dog may not be found dangerous or vicious:

(a) Based solely on the breed of the dog; or

(b) Because of a defensive act against a person who was committing or attempting to commit a crime or who provoked the dog.

4.  A person who knowingly:

(a) Owns or keeps a vicious dog, for more than 7 days after the person has actual notice that the dog is vicious; or

(b) Transfers ownership of a vicious dog after the person has actual notice that the dog is vicious,

Ê is guilty of a misdemeanor.

5.  If substantial bodily harm results from an attack by a dog known to be vicious, its owner or keeper is guilty of a category D felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130. In lieu of, or in addition to, a penalty provided in this subsection, the judge may order the vicious dog to be humanely destroyed.

6.  A local authority shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation that deems a dog dangerous or vicious based solely on the breed of the dog.

7.  This section does not apply to a dog used by a law enforcement officer in the performance of his or her duty.

8.  As used in this section, “local authority” means the governing board of a county, city or other political subdivision having authority to enact laws or ordinances or promulgate regulations relating to dogs.

[1911 C&P § 176; RL § 6441; NCL § 10123]—(NRS A 1967, 488; 1993, 2887; 1995, 1209; 2013, 426)

NV Rev Stat § 202.500 – Last Verified February 2026

Plain English Explanation

Nevada law draws a clear line between dogs that are considered “dangerous” and dogs that are considered “vicious,” and the difference matters a lot when it comes to what happens to the dog and its owner.

A dog is labeled dangerous when it has acted in a threatening way on two separate occasions within an 18-month period, without being provoked, and in a way that would make any reasonable person fear serious bodily injury. Both of those incidents must have happened either off the owner’s property or outside of a cage, pen, or vehicle. A law enforcement agency can also declare a dog dangerous if its owner used it to commit a crime.

A vicious dog is a more serious classification. A dog reaches that level when it kills or seriously injures a person without being provoked, or when its owner was already warned by law enforcement that the dog is dangerous and the threatening behavior continued anyway.

Nevada law is also clear about what cannot make a dog dangerous or vicious. A dog cannot be labeled either one based on its breed alone. A dog also cannot be penalized for acting defensively against someone who was committing a crime or who was tormenting or hurting the dog. The law defines “provoked” simply as the dog being tormented or subjected to pain.

There are real legal consequences for owners of vicious dogs. If someone knowingly keeps a vicious dog for more than seven days after finding out it is vicious, or knowingly transfers ownership of one, that person is guilty of a misdemeanor. If the vicious dog actually attacks and seriously injures someone, the owner faces a category D felony charge. On top of that criminal penalty, a judge has the power to order the dog to be humanely put down.

Cities and counties in Nevada are not allowed to pass local rules that target a specific dog breed as automatically dangerous or vicious. That kind of breed-based rule is banned at every level of government in the state.

One important exception exists. This law does not apply to dogs being used by law enforcement officers while they are on duty.

Frequently Asked Questions About NRS 202.500

What does it mean for a dog to be declared ‘dangerous’ in Nevada?

In Nevada, a dog is officially declared dangerous when it has acted in a threatening way on two separate occasions within 18 months, without being provoked. The behavior has to be serious enough that a reasonable person would fear significant bodily injury.

Both incidents must have taken place either off the owner’s property or outside of a cage, pen, or vehicle. A law enforcement agency can also declare a dog dangerous if its owner used it as part of committing a crime.

Can a dog be declared ‘vicious’ based solely on its breed in Nevada?

No. Nevada law specifically prohibits labeling any dog dangerous or vicious based on breed alone. That protection exists at both the state and local level.

No city, county, or other local authority is allowed to pass or enforce rules that target a specific breed as automatically dangerous or vicious. The determination has to be based on the individual dog’s actual behavior.

What makes a dog dangerous under Nevada law?

A dog becomes dangerous under Nevada law when it behaves in a menacing way on two separate occasions within an 18-month window, without being provoked, and to a degree that would cause a reasonable person to fear serious bodily harm.

Those incidents must occur when the dog is either off the owner’s property or not contained in a cage, pen, or vehicle. Being tormented or subjected to pain counts as provocation, and a dog acting defensively under those circumstances cannot be labeled dangerous.

What penalty applies if a dog injures someone after being declared vicious?

If a dog that is known to be vicious attacks and causes substantial bodily harm to a person, its owner or keeper faces a category D felony charge under Nevada law. A category D felony carries the possibility of serious prison time.

On top of that, the judge handling the case has the authority to order the dog to be humanely put down, either as an additional consequence or instead of other penalties.

Can a local rule ban a breed as dangerous or vicious?

No. Nevada state law directly prohibits any local authority from adopting or enforcing ordinances or regulations that classify a dog as dangerous or vicious based on breed alone.

This applies to counties, cities, and any other governing body with the power to make laws or rules related to dogs. A local government that tries to enforce a breed-specific dangerous dog rule would be acting in violation of state law.

How can dog owners comply with NRS 202.500 to avoid legal issues?

The most straightforward way to stay on the right side of this law is to keep your dog properly contained and supervised, especially in public. Since two threatening incidents within 18 months can trigger a dangerous classification, preventing any off-property menacing behavior is essential.

If a law enforcement agency ever notifies you that your dog has been declared dangerous, taking that warning seriously and addressing the behavior immediately matters because continued incidents after that notice can push the classification to vicious.

Knowingly keeping or transferring ownership of a dog you know is vicious is a misdemeanor on its own, so acting promptly once you have actual knowledge of a vicious designation is important.

Understanding Nevada’s dog laws is the first step toward protecting yourself, your pet, and your community. If your dog has been labeled dangerous or vicious, or if you have been involved in a dog attack, knowing your rights under NRS 202.500 can make a significant difference in how your situation is handled.