Washington County, WI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At large means
- Off owner's premises, not leashed or controlled
- Untagged means
- No license tag on collar while outdoors
- First offense fine
- $25 to $100 forfeiture
- Repeat offense fine
- $50 to $200 forfeiture
- Impound facility
- Washington County Humane Society
- Reclaim requirement
- Proof of license, rabies shot, plus boarding fee
Summary
Washington County requires dog owners to keep their animals off public property and other people's land unless the dog is on a leash, confined, or under direct control. A dog caught running loose or without its license tag can be seized by the Sheriff's Office and impounded at the Washington County Humane Society.
AT LARGE A dog which is off the premises of the owner and not under the control of some person either by leash or otherwise, but an animal within an automobile of any other person with the consent of the animal's owner shall be deemed to be upon the owner's premises. ... Dogs running at large. A dog is considered to be running at large if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner or some other person, as defined in Subsection H above. ... Penalties. If the owner of a dog, negligently or otherwise, permits the dog to run at large or permits a dog to be untagged, the owner shall forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $100 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $200 for subsequent offenses.
Full Breakdown
Washington County Code § 172-12J defines a dog as "running at large" when it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner or another person, using the § 172-12H definition: off the owner's premises and not under control by leash or otherwise, except that a dog riding in someone else's car with the owner's consent is still deemed to be on the owner's premises. A dog is separately "untagged" if a valid license tag is not attached to its collar whenever it is outdoors, unless the dog is securely confined in a fenced area.
Under § 172-12J(3), law enforcement officers or designated animal control agents "shall attempt to capture and restrain any dog running at large and any untagged dog," and § 172-12N designates the Washington County Humane Society as the county pound; an officer who restrains a loose dog must notify the Humane Society or take the animal there, attempt to identify it and notify the owner, and keep a public record of impoundments. To get a dog back, the owner or a representative must give a name and address, present proof the dog is licensed and vaccinated against rabies, and pay the boarding fee; if unclaimed after seven days the Humane Society may release the dog to someone else who agrees to license and vaccinate it.
Penalties are set out directly in § 172-12J(4): a first offense for letting a dog run at large or go untagged draws a forfeiture of not less than $25 nor more than $100, and subsequent offenses draw $50 to $200.
Violations & Fines
Section 172-12J(4) sets the fine directly: a forfeiture of $25 to $100 for a first at-large or untagged-dog offense, rising to $50 to $200 for any subsequent offense. Officers or animal control agents attempt to capture and impound any loose or untagged dog at the Washington County Humane Society, and owners must show proof of licensing and rabies vaccination and pay a boarding fee to reclaim the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington County require dogs to be on a leash?
What happens if my dog is picked up running loose?
What's the fine for a dog running at large in Washington County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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