Kern County Code § 7.08.150 (Dogs at large prohibited—Confinement) requires dogs to be leashed and under handler control or confined when on public property or another's private property. All dogs over 4 months need a license and rabies vaccination. Enforced by Kern County Animal Services.
Kern County Code Chapter 7.08 (Animal Control Regulations) governs unincorporated areas and contracting cities. § 7.08.150 makes it unlawful for an owner to allow a dog to be on the private property of another person, or on public property, without consent of the property owner or controller. Dogs on public property must be on a leash under the immediate control of the handler, or confined in an enclosed pen, unless an officer in charge has consented to other restraint. Dogs over 4 months must have a current Kern County license and rabies vaccination. Cal. Food & Ag Code §30951 also requires effective restraint. Bakersfield (BMC Ch. 6.08) imposes parallel leash duties inside city limits.
Violations of Ch. 7.08 are infractions or misdemeanors under KCC § 7.08.310, with impound and boarding fees. State dangerous-dog law (Cal. Food & Ag §31601 et seq.) authorizes hearings and confinement orders for biting dogs.
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See how Kern County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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