Animal Control and Management Laws

In the United States, local jurisdictions enact laws pursuant to their police powers to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Animal control laws, laws regulating the ownership of animals by citizens or unowned animals found within the local jurisdiction, are enacted pursuant to this authority and enforced by a local agency typically called “Animal Control.” As is implied by the title, the goal of these laws is to “control” animals. In recent years, some jurisdictions have elected to modify the agency’s title to “Animal Care and Control.” Although the nature of the laws may not be significantly affected by the title change, indicating that the goal of the agency is not only to control animals but to provide for their care may alter the perception of the enforcers and the public towards animals as beings to be cared for and not merely controlled.