DCCRs & Rules (Governing Documents)

Please keep your dog safely on leash and remember to clean up their waste. Small dogs off leash can fall prey to coyotes, hawks, bobcats, who may appear suddenly without notice. Large dogs off leash can also be dangerous or nuisances. 

DOG WASTE LAW: Pima County, Code of Ordinances, Title 6, Chapter 6.04  § 6.04.030.

PIMA County law requires dog owners to scoop and dispose of their dog's waste in a proper manner, or risk being charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor. If found guilty of the charge, owners could face fines of up to $500, up to a year in jail, and a year of probation.

ARIZONA LEASH LAW:  11-1012. Dogs not permitted at large; wearing licenses

• Your dog cannot be off your property unless restrained by a leash held by a person who is responsible and capable of restraining the dog if need be.
• Dogs must be on a leash not more than six feet long and directly under the owner’s control when not on the owner’s property. Dogs on public or public school property must be “restrained by a leash, [or] enclosed in a car, cage or similar enclosure.”
• Your dog must be kept in an enclosed yard when on your property     
• Tie-outs are prohibited     
• Arizona’s dog laws can be found under Title 7, Articles 6 and 6.1.  These articles cover everything from rabies, registration, and dog shelters.  
• Dogs at Large in Arizona  A.R.S. 11-2025 renders the dog’s owner or caretaker liable for the injuries their dog inflicts while it is not on a leash and is out in public. These injuries include bites and scratches. 
• Dogs On a Leash That Bite People in Arizona  A.R.S. 11-1025 imposes strict liability on an animal that bites someone in public even if the animal is on a leash. This provision applies exclusively to dog bites, not scratches. 
• Arizona Collar and License Tag Requirements  The law also states that any dog at large that is 3 months or older must have a harness or collar attached to a valid license tag. 
• Dogs must be given water and shade at all times especially in the warmer months which is 9 months out of the year.
• Don't walk your dog on the street during the heat, the asphalt can cause severe burns on their feet, test the asphalt with your own bare foot before subjecting your dog to the asphalt.  The walk can start out with cooler ground and by the end of the walk heat up to over 130F.  The surface of a Tucson road can be 45 degrees hotter than the ambient air temperature.  

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BARKING

Don't let your dog's barking become a nuisance that might disturb the peace quiet or comfort of surrounding occupants.  A dog barking to greet its owners or when someone is walking by their property or if they sense danger and bark as a warning are all normal occurrences to be expected.  However, if a homeowner leaves their dog outdoors unattended and allowed to bark for long periods of time* they are in violation of this rule.  

DCC&Rs Article II, Section 2.10 General Restrictions, Nuisances   *Long periods of time generally means barking, howling or any such noise by a dog which disturbs the peace and quiet of any person or persons for more than 15 minutes if continuous, or more than 30 minutes if intermittent.   

Such barking is also worrisome because your neighbor may become concerned your dog is in distress and could signal there's a problem that needs to be addressed immediately, such as being without water, lack of shade, a rattlesnake in the yard or any number of  number of scenarios.  

It's wise to keep your cat indoors due to attacks from coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats in the area, but cats also fall prey to humans too.  Animal Protection Services regularly receives reports from people concerned that neighbors are trapping cats and dumping them in another area which is a crime.  Trapping & Dumping Cats (or Any Animal) Is ILLEGAL!!  [Arizona Criminal Code § 13-2910]      

In Arizona, cats are considered 'free roaming animals:'  Cats are not licensed nor do they do not have to be leashed.  It is not illegal for a cat to be outdoors.

Cats are protected by law and are free to roam meaning they might go into other people's gardens or allotments.  Otherwise, cats enjoy and deserve the same protection under Arizona's laws that covers dogs -- as well as other domestic animals, including livestock and exotic pets. However, there are very specific laws in regards to what can and cannot be done by those who wish to deter pet cats from those areas.   One reasonable approach is to speak to the owner of the cat, they may not even be aware their cat visits your yard.  But you may not trap them and dump them or cause them to be separated from their identity; if you know the cat is someone's pet and especially if you who the owner is you must state so if submitting them to any animal care facility to give the owner a chance to retrieve and secure their pet.  You may not poison nor harm any protected animal, that includes cats, dogs, birds, and others as these are PROTECTED ANIMALS.

Pet cats, and even feral cats, are covered by Arizona Statute ARS 13-2910 A-1, which states that, “A person commits cruelty to animals if the person does any of the following: 1. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly subjects any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment." 

Persons violating this Statute are guilty of animal cruelty. It's illegal to abandon an animal, whether by dumping it in a public place or leaving it anywhere without providing for its needs.  Animal Protection Laws  

One thing to seriously consider is that cats enter yards for many reasons but one reason is that your yard may have rodents for them to hunt.  Just as lizards eat the crickets that attract scorpions, cats kill and eat rodents.  So that cat may just be keeping your yard free from being overrun by rodents!  

• Animal Protection Laws

• Missing Cats

• PIMA County Animal Care (PACC) aka Animal Control

Per Arizona Law it is illegal to feed wildlife in PIMA County.  Feeding birds and tree squirrels is permitted [nuts and seeds-never leave meat products out as meat attracts wild predators].  Bird feeders should be about 5 feet high so as not to feed ground dwelling animals.      

One of the reasons Arizona Game & Fish is so adamant about not feeding wildlife is "when wild animals get used to humans feeding them they can become aggressive and attack the person feeding them when food is not put out quickly enough.   

"The best way to provide food for wildlife is to plant native vegetation.  For example Javelina love to eat the bean pods that fall off the Mesquite trees, and also eat prickly pear cactus; they chomp right through the cactus needles!  The Cottontail Rabbit eats mesquite leaves and beans, cacti for moisture and surprisingly our desert rabbits enjoy bark and twigs!  So, unlike pet rabbits, it doesn't have to be carrots or lettuce.  Planting native vegetation is like putting food out for the wildlife without confusing them about humans being involved, which causes the trouble."  

TEP (Tucson Electric Power) has a program you can buy a Mesquite tree for only $5 and pick up at your local nursery.  (Information here)  

This article explains more in detail:  "AZ Game & Fish Reminds Residents Not to Feed Wildlife" https://www.azgfd.com/game-and-fish-reminds-residents-to-do-not-to-feed-wildlife/    

Feeding wild animals is illegal in Arizona, but the law applies only to Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties since they have populations of 280,000 or more.  Game and Fish says the best way for people to see or help wildlife is to plant native vegetation.      

A.R.S. Title 13. Criminal Code § 13-2927  Unlawful feeding of wildlife; classification

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/02927.htm