Beloit, WI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

16(1)(a) draws a bright numeric line: an animal is running at large when it is found off the premises of its owner or keeper and not under restraint by leash, cord or chain, and not within a vehicle, and the leash, cord or chain itself cannot exceed 6' in length. If it does, the animal is deemed running at large even if a person is holding the other end. Every police officer and humane officer has a duty under subsection (2) to impound any animal found running at large, and may enter private premises to capture it by reasonable means.

An owner who can be identified must be notified of the impoundment. To reclaim an impounded animal under subsection (3), the owner pays a redemption fee, a boarding fee, and, if required, a rabies inoculation fee and a dog license fee, all set by the impoundment facility. Subsection (4) gives the facility only 7 days to hold an unclaimed animal before it may release the animal to anyone willing to pay the accumulated charges or destroy it humanely. 17.