Broken Arrow, OK Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large violation
- class C offense
- "At large" means
- unrestrained off owner's property
- Unsupervised tether/tie-out
- prohibited (§5-10(c))
- Enforcement
- police department, § 5-2
- Impound release
- requires paid fees
Summary
Broken Arrow makes it a class C offense for an owner to let a dog run at large, and separately bans leaving a dog on an unsupervised tie-out or tether.
(a)It shall be unlawful and a class C offense for any owner to fail to prevent any animal owned, harbored or kept by him from being at large within the city.(b)It shall be unlawful and a class C offense for any owner with an animal at heel to fail to prevent that animal from becoming at large.(c)It shall be unlawful and a class C offense for any person to abandon or desert any domestic animal or to permit any such animal to become a stray.(d)It shall be unlawful and a class C offense for any person to open any enclosure in which an animal is confined so as to turn such animal at large, or in any other manner to release such animal to roam at large.(e)It shall be unlawful and a class B offense for any person to fail or refuse the request of a police department representative to honor a warrant from the court to deliver any animal which:(1)Has been declared a nuisance by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by the city council pursuant to normal processes; or(2)Is suspected of having or being exposed to rabies; or(3)Is a dangerous animal. (Code 1970, §§ 3-2, 3-3; Code 1977, § 5-9; Ord. No. 1136, § 2, 8-1-1983; Ord. No. 1562, § 2, 9-5-1989; Ord. No. 1592, § 1, 5-21-1990; Ord. No. 2067, § I, 6-2-1997)
State Law reference— Authority to prohibit animals running at large 11 O.S. § 22-115.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 43).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 5-9(a)-(b) makes it unlawful and a class C offense for an owner to fail to prevent a dog from being "at large": defined in § 5-1 as off the owner's premises without a leash, chain, harness, or similar restraint, or on the premises but not confined or kept at heel (within ten feet and obedient). Section 5-10(c) separately bars keeping a dog on a tie-out, tether, picket, or similar device unless an adult is actively supervising, with narrow exemptions requiring water, shelter, and no entanglement risk. The Broken Arrow police department enforces both provisions and may impound loose dogs under § 5-2.
Violations & Fines
Each at-large incident is a class C offense under § 5-9; unsupervised tethering violates § 5-10(c). Impounded dogs are not released until impoundment and boarding fees are paid in full under § 5-2(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to let my dog run loose in Broken Arrow?
Can I leave my dog on a chain in the yard unattended?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broken Arrow
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