Dog Laws

ORS 609.060 - Dogs At Large Prohibited

Any peace officer or Dog Control Officer may impound a dog that is found running at large.

A dog shall be considered running at large when it is off or outside of the premises belonging to the owner or keeper of such dog or not in the company of and under control of its owner or keeper.

ORS 609.095 - Dogs Shall Not Be Allowed to Be a Public Nuisance

A dog is a public nuisance if it:

  • Bites a person
  • Chases vehicles or persons
  • Damages or destroys property of others
  • Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noise
  • Is a female in heat and running at large
  • Scatters garbage
  • Trespasses on private property

ORS 609.140 - Dogs Shall Not Be Allowed To Kill, Wound, Injure, or Chase Livestock

No dog owner or keeper of a dog shall permit a dog to chase, kill, wound or injure livestock not belonging to the owner or keeper of such dog.

The owner or keeper of a dog that has injured or killed livestock is responsible for any amount up to double the amount of damages.

Any dog (whether licensed or not) which, while off premises owned or under the control of its owner, kills, wounds, or injures any livestock not belonging to the master of such dog is a public nuisance and may be killed immediately by any person. (ORS 609.150)

ORS 609.090 - Impoundment of Dogs

Any Police Officer or Animal Control Officer shall impound a dog or cite owner or keeper to court when in violation of state law or county ordinance.