Porter County, IN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- General Code Sec. 4-9
- Hunting-dog exception
- Sec. 4-9(c)
- First-offense fine
- $50.00
- Third+ offense fine
- $100.00
- Enforcement agency
- County animal control / sheriff's dept.
Summary
Sec. 4-9 of Porter County's Animal Control Ordinance bars owners from letting a dog run at large and requires every dog be "confined or under restraint" at all times, with fines starting at $50 and impoundment by county animal control.
No owner of any dog or domestic pet shall permit such dog or domestic pet to run at large, except domestic cats may be allowed to run loose off the owner's premises so long as the cat does not create a public nuisance, is spayed/neutered, and in the case of wild/feral cats is ear-tipped to indicate its altered status. Each owner of any dog or domestic pet shall, at all times, keep and maintain his dog or domestic pet confined or under restraint. This section shall not apply to dogs when engaged in lawful hunting and accompanied by the owner or custodian or any other activity expressly permitted under state law.
Full Breakdown
Porter County General Code Sec. " "Restraint" is defined in Sec. " The leash requirement does not apply to dogs "engaged in lawful hunting and accompanied by the owner or custodian or any other activity expressly permitted under state law" (Sec. 4-9(c)). Any dog found running at large is subject to impoundment at the county animal shelter by county animal control officers, the sheriff's department, or other law enforcement agents under Sec. 4-9(d) and Sec. 4-11(a)(2). Owners who let dogs run at large repeatedly also risk a separate public-nuisance citation: Sec.
4-10(b)(3) lists a dog that "is repeatedly at large" among the grounds for a public-nuisance finding, which itself carries its own escalating fine schedule and possible impoundment at the discretion of the animal control officer.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 4-9(e) sets fines of $50 for a first offense, $75 for a second offense, and $100 for a third and subsequent offense for letting a dog run at large. Redemption of an impounded dog under Sec. 4-12 requires proof of ownership, identification, payment of impoundment and redemption fees, and proof of current rabies vaccination or a pre-payment receipt; a third or subsequent redemption within 12 months additionally requires microchipping and spay/neuter at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must I keep my dog leashed in Porter County?
What is the fine for a dog running at large?
Is there an exception for hunting dogs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Porter County
Compare Porter County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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