2026 Nevada Revised StatutesChapter 575 – Miscellaneous Provisions; Collection Of TaxesNRS 575.020 Allowing vicious animal to escape or run at large; penalty; vicious animal may be killed; liability of person having care or custody of animal which chases, worries, injures or kills livestock of another.

Statutory Text

1.  Every person having the care or custody of any animal known to possess any vicious or dangerous tendencies, who allows it to escape or run at large in any place or manner liable to endanger the safety of any person, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

2.  Any person may lawfully and without liability for damages kill such an animal when reasonably necessary to protect his or her own safety or the public safety, or if the animal chases, worries, injures or kills the person’s livestock on the land of any person other than that of the owner of the animal.

3.  Every person having the care or custody of an animal which chases, worries, injures or kills the livestock of another on land other than his or her own is liable to the owner of the livestock for damage to it.

4.  As used in this section, “livestock” means all animals of the bovine, caprine, equine, ovine and porcine species, and all domesticated fowl and rabbits.

[1911 C&P § 326; RL § 6591; NCL § 10274]—(NRS A 1979, 1395)

NV Rev Stat § 575.020 – Last Verified March 2026

Plain English Explanation

Nevada Revised Statute 575.020 deals with what happens when a dangerous animal is allowed to roam free or causes harm to someone else’s livestock. The law covers responsibilities, consequences, and rights under these situations.

If you own or are taking care of an animal that you know has dangerous or vicious tendencies, you are required to keep that animal under control. Letting it escape or run loose in a way that could put people at risk is a misdemeanor offense in Nevada. That means you could face criminal charges just for failing to contain an animal you already knew was dangerous.

The law also gives other people a significant right when a vicious animal poses a threat. If someone reasonably believes that a dangerous animal is putting them or the general public in danger, they are legally allowed to kill that animal without facing any civil liability for doing so. This protection also applies if the animal is attacking, chasing, harassing, injuring, or killing someone else’s livestock on land that does not belong to the animal’s owner. In other words, if your neighbor’s dog gets onto someone’s farm and attacks their goats, the person whose livestock is being threatened can act to stop it.

Beyond the right to stop an attacking animal, the law also creates financial responsibility. If an animal you care for or own attacks another person’s livestock on someone else’s property, you are legally responsible for compensating that livestock owner for any damages caused.

The statute specifically defines what counts as livestock for these purposes. Livestock includes cattle, goats, horses, sheep, and pigs. It also covers domesticated birds raised on a farm and rabbits. Wild animals or common household pets would not fall under this definition.

The core idea behind this law is straightforward. People who choose to keep animals with known dangerous traits carry a legal duty to prevent those animals from harming others, and there are real consequences when that duty is ignored.

Frequently Asked Questions About NRS 575.020

What counts as a “vicious animal” under Nevada law?

Nevada Revised Statute 575.020 does not provide a specific definition of what makes an animal vicious. Instead, the law focuses on whether the owner or caretaker knew the animal had dangerous or vicious tendencies. So if an animal has a history of aggressive behavior and the person responsible for it was aware of that history, the law considers that knowledge enough to trigger their legal duty to keep the animal contained.

Can I legally kill a dangerous animal that is threatening me in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada law specifically allows any person to kill a dangerous animal without facing legal consequences if doing so is reasonably necessary to protect themselves or the public. The key word is “reasonably,” meaning the threat has to be genuine and not something you could easily avoid. This protection also extends to situations where the animal is actively attacking your livestock on land that does not belong to the animal’s owner.

What happens if my dog or animal attacks my neighbor’s livestock?

If an animal under your care attacks, chases, injures, or kills someone else’s livestock on property other than your own, you are financially responsible for the damage caused. The livestock owner has the right to seek compensation from you. This applies regardless of whether criminal charges are also filed.

Is it a crime to let a dangerous animal run loose in Nevada?

Yes. Allowing a known vicious or dangerous animal to escape or roam freely in a way that could endanger people is a misdemeanor under Nevada law. A misdemeanor can carry penalties including fines and potential jail time, so the consequences are real even if the animal has not harmed anyone yet.

Does this law protect horses and goats the same way it protects cattle?

Yes. The statute covers a broad range of animals under its definition of livestock. Cattle, goats, horses, sheep, and pigs are all included, along with domesticated fowl and rabbits. Any of these animals receive the same protections under the law if they are chased, harassed, injured, or killed by another person’s dangerous animal.

If a dangerous animal has injured you or destroyed your livestock, you may have legal rights that deserve to be taken seriously – contact Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and let an experienced team fight to get you the compensation you are owed. Do not wait, because the sooner you act, the stronger your case can be.