Canyon County, ID Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Canyon County Code § 03-05-05 defines "at large" as being off the owner's premises without a leash, cord, chain or other physical restraint and not under the owner's control, or being on the owner's premises without a fence or tether of sufficient strength and height to prevent escape, or, if restrained on a leash, coming within six feet of a public walkway or sidewalk. Under § 03-05-15(1)(A), letting a dog you own, keep or harbor be at large on county roads, streets, alleys or any public place, or on any premises other than the owner's, is unlawful, and a first violation is an infraction punished under Idaho Code section 18-113A.

Subsection (1)(B) escalates a third at-large conviction within five years to a misdemeanor under Idaho Code section 18-113. Subsection (1)(C) separately requires owners to confine a female dog in heat indoors or in a kennel to prevent unwanted breeding, unless she is under the owner's immediate control off the property. Enforcement runs through the sheriff-deputized animal control officer under § 03-05-07; an at-large dog may be impounded at the county shelter under § 03-05-17(1)(A), and a fierce or dangerous dog that can't be safely captured may be slain by a peace officer.

An owner must pay all impound, board and rabies-vaccination fees within 24 hours of actual notice, or five business days without direct notice, or the dog may be adopted out or euthanized under § 03-05-17(1)(C). This provision applies only in unincorporated Canyon County; Caldwell, Nampa and the county's other cities enforce their own leash laws.