The Arizona Revised Statutes have been updated to include the revised sections from the 56th Legislature, 1st Regular Session. Please note that the next update of this compilation will not take place until after the conclusion of the 56th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, which convenes in January 2024.
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This online version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is primarily maintained for legislative drafting purposes and reflects the version of law that is effective on January 1st of the year following the most recent legislative session. The official version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is published by Thomson Reuters.
9-499.04 - Animal control officers; appointment; authority; regulation of dogs; powers and duties
9-499.04. Animal control officers; appointment; authority; regulation of dogs; powers and duties
A. Any city and town may by ordinance provide for the appointment of animal control officers who may commence an action or proceeding before a court for any violation of a state statute or local ordinance relating to rabies and animal control that occurs within the jurisdiction of the city or town.
B. An animal control officer appointed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall:
1. Be unarmed during the course of duties except that a small caliber firearm may be available to be used in controlling vicious animals or in dispatching of a wounded animal. For the purposes of this paragraph, "small caliber firearm" means a rifle or pistol utilizing a rimfire cartridge with a caliber not to exceed twenty-two hundredths of an inch and with a non-richocheting bullet or a shotgun whose bore size does not exceed forty-one hundredths of an inch.
2. Be an employee of the appointing city or town.
C. A city or town may regulate the control of dogs if the regulation is not specific to any breed.
D. Subsection B of this section does not grant other powers or benefits to animal control officers to which peace officers of this state are entitled.