Campbell County, KY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Campbell County Code § 90.02
- Restraint required
- Collar/harness with chain or leash
- Applies to
- Licensed and unlicensed dogs
- Hunting dog defense
- Available under KRS 258.265
- First-offense penalty
- Up to $250 fine, up to 90 days jail
- Enforcing agency
- Campbell County Animal Services
Summary
Campbell County Code § 90.02 makes it unlawful for an owner or keeper to let a dog, licensed or not, leave its home premises unless accompanied and controlled by the owner or a responsible person acting for them. The dog must be secured by a collar or harness with a chain or leash held by that person, and may not enter another person's property.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to permit any such dogs to leave or be beyond the premises upon which the dog is kept except when accompanied and controlled by the owner or custodian or by some responsible person acting for or on behalf of the owner or custodian. The owner or custodian of said dog shall be required to secure the dog by means of a collar or harness with a chain or leash attached and held by the owner, custodian or person acting on his behalf and no dog shall be permitted upon the premises of another person. (B) It shall be a defense to this section if the defendant proves that the dog was a hunting dog engaged in legal hunting or hunting-related activities and meets the provisions of KRS Chapter 258.265.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-50: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. O-09-2026, passed 8-5-26; and Res. R-42-26, passed 7-15-26; and State legislation current through KRS Pamphlet 2025).
Full Breakdown
02(A) bars any owner or keeper from permitting a dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to leave or be beyond the premises where it is kept, unless the dog is accompanied and controlled by its owner, custodian, or someone acting on the owner's or custodian's behalf. When off the home premises, the owner or custodian must secure the dog with a collar or harness attached to a chain or leash held by that person, and the code separately states no dog is permitted upon the premises of another person.
265 is not in violation. 06, covering impounding procedures for animals picked up in violation of at-large rules. 02 does not distinguish between fenced and unfenced yards, a leash or a physically controlling handler is required any time the dog is off the owner's own property, not merely on public streets.
Violations & Fines
Violations of § 90.02 fall under § 90.99(B)(1) as a Class B misdemeanor on a first offense, with a fine of up to $250, up to 90 days in county jail, or both, and each animal involved treated as a separate violation. A second or later offense escalates to a Class A misdemeanor under § 90.99(B)(2), with a fine of up to $500 and up to 365 days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog have to be leashed off my own property in Campbell County?
Is there an exception for hunting dogs?
What is the penalty for letting a dog run at large in Campbell County?
Can a leashed dog still be cited for entering a neighbor's yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Campbell County
Compare Campbell County to another location·View the Kentucky animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.