Barrow County, GA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- all domesticated animals except cats
- At-large ban
- Sec. 14-38
- Restraint duty
- Sec. 14-39
- 3rd impoundment
- animal not returned (Sec. 14-91(c))
- Enforcement
- Barrow County Animal Control
Summary
In unincorporated Barrow County it is unlawful for the owner of any dog, or any domesticated animal other than a cat, to let it run at-large, per Sec. 14-38. Sec. 14-39 layers on a duty to keep the animal restrained and prevent it from leaving the owner's property unattended. Animal control officers enforce both sections and can impound a loose dog under Sec. 14-91.
With the exception of felines, it shall be unlawful for the owner of any domesticated animal, or anyone having a domesticated animal in his possession or control, to permit such domesticated animal to be at-large. ... It shall be the duty of every animal owner or custodian of any domesticated animal to ensure that such animal is kept under proper restraint and that reasonable care and precautions are taken to prevent the animal from leaving, while unattended, the real property limits of its owner, possessor or custodian. This section shall not apply to felines.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 14-38, "Duty to keep animals under control," makes it unlawful for the owner of any domesticated animal, other than a feline, or anyone with the animal in their possession, to permit it to be at-large; if the owner or keeper is a minor, the parent or guardian bears responsibility for compliance. Sec. 14-39 adds a companion duty: every owner or custodian must keep the animal under "proper restraint" and take reasonable precautions to prevent it leaving the real property limits of its owner, possessor, or custodian while unattended, again excluding felines.
Sec. 14-31 defines "proper restraint on owner's property" as a secure enclosure the animal cannot climb, dig, jump, or escape, or a leash under a competent person's control, and defines "under control while off owner's real property" to include a securely confined vehicle, a leash held by a competent person, immediate voice command, or lawful hunting use. A dog found at-large is subject to capture under Sec. 14-91(a)(1), and Sec. 14-91(c) provides that any public-nuisance animal impounded a third time will not be returned to its owner and will instead be disposed of under the chapter.
Enforcement runs through the animal control unit created in Sec. 14-32, whose officers may issue citations returnable to Barrow County Magistrate Court under Sec. 14-33 and may pursue a loose animal onto private property to capture it.
Violations & Fines
Neither Sec. 14-38 nor Sec. 14-39 states its own fine, so a citation falls under the Code's general penalty in Sec. 1-7: a fine up to the maximum state law allows for a county ordinance violation, or up to 60 days' imprisonment, or both, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. A dog impounded a third time as a public nuisance animal is not returned to its owner under Sec. 14-91(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in my own yard?
What happens if my dog gets loose from my property a third time?
Does the county's leash and at-large law apply to cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Barrow County
Compare Barrow County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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