For more information on your state laws, click the state name.
State | Statewide Leash Law? | Additional Information |
Alabama | Yes | Dog owner is responsible for dog at all times and must keep them on a leash when off property. |
Alaska | No | Municipalities may enforce leash laws in their jurisdiction. |
Arizona | No | Dogs must be leashed in public parks and schools, as well as during rabies quarantines. Female dogs in heat and vicious dogs must also be kept on leashes. |
Arkansas | No | N/A |
California | No | Female dogs in heat must be leashed. |
Colorado | No | Some municipalities require leashes, including Denver. |
Connecticut |
No | Dogs must be under control of the owner if it is roaming on another’s land or on a public highway, including sidewalks. Local governments may have leash laws. |
Delaware | No | Dogs must be accompanied with reasonable control by their owner unless on a farm. Dogs must also be kept under control during the nighttime. |
District of Columbia | Yes | Dogs must be leashed unless in a government approved dog park. Dogs are not permitted on school property during school time. |
Florida | No | Most counties have leash laws. |
Georgia | No | Leashes required in Atlanta and other municipalities. |
Hawaii | No | Some leash laws determined by county. Female dogs in heat are required to be on a leash. |
Idaho | No | N/A |
Illinois | Yes | It is unlawful for dogs to run at large. |
Indiana | No | Leash laws determined by county. |
Iowa | No | Dogs prohibited from running at large. Dogs running at large without a rabies vaccination tag may be impounded. |
Kansas | No | Leash laws determined by city ordinance. |
Kentucky | No | Unaccompanied dogs may not run at large between sunset and sunrise and if found doing so may be seized. |
Louisiana | Yes | Dogs cannot run at large. |
Maine | Yes | Dogs may not run at large unless when used for hunting. |
Maryland | No | Leash laws determined by county. |
Massachusetts | No | Dogs must be leashed at public highway rest areas. Local governments may have leash ordinances. |
Michigan | Yes | Dogs must be on a leash when in public. |
Minnesota | No | Unlicensed dogs running at large may be impounded. |
Mississippi | No | Laws determined by municipalities. |
Missouri | No | Dogs must be kept on leashes under 10 feet long when at state parks or historic sites. |
Montana | No | Leash laws determined by municipality. Dogs found running at large without a license tag may be seized. |
Nebraska | No | Dogs may not run at large in counties over 80,000 in population. Dogs found running at large for over 10 days without a collar may face fines up to $25. |
Nevada | No | |
New Hampshire | No | Unsupervised dogs are not allowed to run at large. |
New Jersey | No | Leash laws determined by municipality. |
New Mexico | No | Leash laws determined by county. |
New York | Yes | Dogs must be restrained when off property. |
North Carolina | No | Unaccompanied dogs may not run at large during the nighttime. |
North Dakota | No | N/A |
Ohio | No | Dogs must be kept under reasonable control except when hunting. Female dogs in heat must be leashed. |
Oklahoma | No | Dogs must be leashed at state parks. Counties larger than 200,000 may regulate or prohibit dogs from running at large. |
Oregon | No | Local governments may have leash laws. |
Pennsylvania | No | All dogs must be controlled within the premises of their owner. |
Rhode Island | No | Leash laws determined by city or town councils. |
South Carolina | No | It is illegal for dogs to run at large off of their owner’s property. |
South Dakota | No | Dogs running at large may be regulated or prohibited by county. Dogs not permitted to run at large in state parks. |
Tennessee | No | The owner of a dog is responsible for keeping the dog under control at all times and not allowing it to run at large, unless for hunting. |
Texas | No | Laws vary by city. |
Utah | No | Each municipality has authority to determine its own law. |
Vermont | No | Some towns may have their own ordinances. |
Virginia | No | Local jurisdictions may have running at large ordinances. |
Washington | No | Leash laws determined by city or municipality. |
West Virginia | No | Owners are liable for damages caused by dog. |
Wisconsin | No | Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment and their owners subject to fines. Leash laws may be adopted by county. |
Wyoming | No | Local governments may regulate or prohibit dogs from running at large. |