Overview of Leash Law
In most urban settings throughout California, pets are expected to be on a leash. They can be off the leash only in designated areas or otherwise when appropriate. These restrictions are known as "leash laws."
Leash laws play a vital role in keeping our communities safe for human residents as well as pets, and they’re generally effective means of keeping animals contained. However, they must be followed in order to ensure individual safety and to prevent unwanted legal actions and fines from being imposed on those who have pets that are not properly controlled.
From a public safety perspective, leashes can control animals and make it difficult for an animal to place someone in danger. For example, if a pet is on a leash, it can only reach as far as its owner allows it to wander. An off-leash pet that remains sufficiently uncontrolled can suddenly bite, maul, or injure another person.
Many public places that allow for animal control also provide means to capture strays. For example, parks often have signage advising persons that they have the option to call animal control if they feel threatened by a stray animal . However, animals that aren’t collared or are otherwise uncontained are much more difficult for animal control to approach, much less capture.
A dog captured by animal control may be held against its owner’s wishes and may be impounded, placed in quarantine, or otherwise confined if someone exercising their legal rights may have been bitten. Rather than make the situation more serious or expensive than it needs to be, it’s advisable to keep pets on their leashes.
Leash laws vary by city. In some places, a leash may not absolutely be required if an animal is being walked or contained indoors. Where an animal is permitted to be unleashed, it would generally be kept to areas away from public settings.
The law creates responsibility for individuals walking pets. While it does delineate how an owner must contain their animals in public, it also imposes penalties on those who fail to comply with community regulations.
There’s wisdom in leash laws and their importance in maintaining safe communities in California. Know your local leash laws.
State Leash Laws
California does have a general set of statewide leash law regulations that require dogs be on a leash when they are on public land. Their main intent is to protect both dogs and people from dog-related accidents and aggressive or unwanted behavior.
California law states that all dogs must be on a leash – no longer than 6 feet in length and under direct control of the owner, unless they are on their own property, public land that allows them to be off-leash, or a designated area and facility that allows a leashed or unleashed dog.
California law designates some public spaces as being available for off-leash use, where there are specified hours and possible permits required. Some of these include:
Additionally, many cities, state parks, and other public places within California have their own laws, ordinances, and rules pertaining to leash requirements. As an example, San Francisco has some clearly stated leash restrictions that apply at all times to certain areas, and other provisions that require a leash during specified hours.
Some stated exceptions for off-leash exercise include:
Because these restrictions can be very specific to the individual city or county, it is important to always check local ordinances, state laws, and may even be helpful to ask a ranger or officer in the area you are interested in for clarification and accuracy on the leash laws in your area.
Local Ordinances for Leash Laws
Leash laws are subject to significant local variations in California. Some counties, like San Bernardino county, prohibit dogs from being off-leash under California Penal Code § 365. In San Diego county, dogs are prohibited from running at large anywhere within Canyon Park (including the much of the Mission Valley area) and the City of El Cajon under the recently-enacted Ordinance No. 509 (prohibiting dogs from running at large).
Some cities prohibit dogs from being off-leash within certain areas under their Municipal Cods: City of Lake Forest, Municipal Code § 10.13.060 (banning dogs from any beach or park area within the City except on designated trails, off-leash areas, or upon approval); City of Cypress, Municipal Code § 1-13.30 to 1-13.34 (prohibits dog from running at large in any place except certified "Off-Leash Dog Parks"); City of Los Angeles, Municipal Code § 53.01 (Regulations Governing Dogs, Horses, and Livestock in the Public Streets and Other Public Places) (only permitting dogs to leave the control of their owners "within any city park or public land which does not have a sign prohibiting dogs in the park"); City of Long Beach, Municipal Code § 6.16.110 (prohibiting dogs from running at large); City of Pasadena, Municipal Code § 8.54.030 (prohibiting dog from running at large); City of Rancho Cucamonga, Municipal Code [title XII], Ch. 12.16, Sec. 12.16.030 (prohibiting dogs from running at large); City of Santa Monica, Municipal Code § 2.20.180 (prohibiting dogs in any public park "unless such dog is under the immediate and effective control of a person capable of controlling such dog or leashed"); and the City of Torrance, Municipal Code § 61.1-6.6 (prohibiting dogs from running at large).
Penalties Associated with Leash Laws
Violating California leash laws can have consequences: from fines to liability for any injuries your pet may cause. The penalties for failing to have a pet leashed or fenced depend on region and specific circumstances. However, it is always best to know what you can expect.
In most cases, if you violate a leash law and your pet causes damage, injury or death to another person or animal, you would be expected to pay for the damages.
In addition, many cities have ordinances stating that a pet owner may be punished if his or her pet bites someone. If someone is bitten by a dog that is off the owner’s property and not on a leash, the owner may be charged with a misdemeanor. When the charge is a misdemeanor, the fines can be significant — up to $1,000 — in addition to possible jail time of six months. More serious charges requires evidence that the pet was purposely loose, knowingly unconfined, or restrained by an inadequate collar or chain.
The specific fines for failure to leash a pet depends on your region, though most large cities will issue a standard fine notification: If you are cited, you can contest the ticket and appear in traffic court. You can plead not guilty and write a letter to explain your side or appear before a judge.
If your dog is strictly confined to your property, it will not be considered a leash violation unless the leash is too long or inadequate. In addition, the leash cannot be longer than 6 feet if your pet is in a "designated animal area."
The bottom line is: leash laws vary by region, and they can have a significant effect on pet owners if they are caught violating them. Before you let your pet run outside, find out about your local leash laws.
Pet and Pet Owner Benefits for Leash Laws
Requiring owners to keep their pets on leashes has many benefits, not only for the general public but for pet owners and their animals as well. Contained within the parameters of a leash, owners can exercise and socialize their pets in a confined area, while also preventing situations that could jeopardize their health or safety.
According to veterinarians, well-implemented, location-specific leash laws significantly reduce bites on animals and people. When dogs are forced to socialize with other animals by being left off-leash, fights and bites are nearly unavoidable . This typically results in significant injuries to the dogs and additional costs to owners if vet treatment is required. Since most pet owners have had little previous experience socializing their animals, leashing is the best way to ensure that pets behave properly in an uncontrolled environment.
On a broader scale, California leash laws significantly minimize the spread of canine diseases, as animals required to wear leashes are much more likely to have been vaccinated for rabies than those running free. Preventing the growth of many diseases means that the total pet population will be healthier, safer, and less of a threat to the general public, particularly for small children.
Becoming a Responsible Dog Owner
If you’re a pet owner, there are things you can do to be sure you’re in compliance with the law and to be a responsible pet owner. To follow leash laws for dogs, you need to know how to train your dog to walk on a leash and control your dog’s behavior in public places.
Basics for leash training
First, it is important that you train your dog to walk on a leash. Training your dog to walk on a leash means that you have to keep the leash taut when walking. The leash should be kept short — about 3 feet in length — and your dog should be less than one foot away from your body.
To train your dog to walk on a leash, you first need to determine the hand in which you will hold the leash and the side of your body on which the leash will be kept. You will also need to determine whether your dog will walk on your left or right side. After you have made these decisions, you need to pick the correct collar for your dog.
There are a variety of collars and leashes available for dog owners. A head collar wraps around your dog’s muzzle and is a great choice for training since it allows you to control your dog’s head. This collar should only be used for training and not when your dog is playing with other pets.
A regular collar should be used when your dog is exercising and playing with other dogs. A standard collar is just as effective as a head harness as long as you keep your dog close to the rest of your body. The amount of space given to the dog is what determines the effectiveness of the collar.
Basics for walking your dog
When walking your dog, he should always be walking with you. Your dog should walk by himself on the side of your body with the leash taut the entire time. If your dog walks ahead of you or lags behind, he is not properly walking on a leash. Your dog should not be allowed to sniff the ground or get distracted by other dogs. All of these actions are behaviors that dogs exhibit, and they all mean that the leash is not being used properly and that the dog is not behaving in the right manner.
The point of the leash is to keep the dog close and under control. If your dog breaks these rules, you need to return to the basics and start the process over again. It may take time for your dog to learn how to walk on the leash properly, but you will see a significant difference once he does.
When walking your dog, he will also need to learn how to be a well-behaved dog. If other people and animals approach the dog, he will need to stay close to you and not bark or growl at them. If you have visitors at home, your dog should not bark at the door, even if someone rings the doorbell.
You should also be aware of the areas in which your dog should be on a leash. While many dogs enjoy playing in the backyard off a leash, they must still be on a leash where required and while walking in certain areas of town and in the city. Pets who are not on a leash could face serious penalties, including fines and the loss of pet ownership rights.
Further Resources and Links
In the age of the internet, there are a multitude of avenues one can pursue to further their research and understanding. If you’re a pet owner in California, here are some sources you can use to help navigate the leash laws in your locality.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife: This agency is responsible for a wide range of wildlife issues in California. Their website offers information on California’s native wildlife and the regulations surrounding them, including the state’s leash laws and wildlife interaction guidelines.
California Pet Laws: While not an official governmental source, this site provides a comprehensive overview of various pet-related laws in California, including leash laws, vaccination requirements, pet business regulations, and more .
ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers resources and articles that address pet safety laws in all 50 states, including those specific to California.
State Bar of California: The State Bar of California website offers a searchable database for finding a lawyer in your area, as well as resources for legal aid and legal services organizations.
Local Animal Control Authorities: Contacting your local animal control authorities can yield city or county-specific information on leash laws, as well as other helpful advice on pet ownership and responsibility.
Legal Codes: Each state has its own statutory code where laws are codified and indexed. An easy way to access these is through Lexis Nexis, which has California San Diego County Codes Online and California Monterey County Codes Online.
