Blue Hill, NE Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 3-209, Running at Large, is Blue Hill's leash law: it is unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to allow it to run at large at any time within the corporate limits of the city. The section defines the term precisely, so enforcement doesn't turn on an officer's judgment call: "running at large" means the animal was found off the premises of the owner and not under control of the owner or a responsible person by leash, cord, chain, wire, rope, cage or other suitable means of physical restraint.

Once a dog is found running at large, § 3-209 makes it the animal control authority's duty to take it up and impound it, feeding into the impoundment process in § 3-222, which holds animals at least three days after public notice and requires payment of impoundment, board and any unpaid license fees before release. The rule traces to Neb. Rev. §§17-526 and 54-607 and was amended by Ordinance No. 601-A on November 8, 2005. A female dog in season found running at large is treated even more strictly under § 3-212, which declares her a public nuisance subject to impoundment or destruction.

Because the definition covers any means of restraint, a fenced yard on the owner's own property satisfies the law without a leash, but once the dog crosses onto a street, sidewalk or neighbor's lot unrestrained, the owner is in violation regardless of intent.