In unincorporated Polk County, dogs may not run at large. Off the owner's property a dog must be leashed or under the direct control of a competent person. The rule also covers unaltered cats. Governed by Animal Control Ordinance 18-068 (County Code Ch. 4).
Polk County's Animal Control Ordinance (18-068), codified as Chapter 4 of the County Code, bars any dog or unaltered cat from straying or running at large on public streets, sidewalks, parks, other public property, or another person's private property. Dogs off the owner's premises must be leashed or under the direct control of the custodian; hunting dogs actively working in authorized areas are exempt. A property owner may humanely restrain an at-large animal on their own land and call Animal Control. Incorporated cities (Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow) may have their own leash ordinances that apply inside city limits.
Civil citation issued by Animal Services; at-large is a lower-tier offense with fines roughly $60 first offense rising to about $250-$500 for repeats within three years, plus impound and boarding fees.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Polk County, FL
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See how Polk County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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