Chesapeake, VA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Chesapeake City Code Sec. 10-42
- Physical control means
- Confinement by fence, chain, or leash
- Pack penalty
- $50 civil fine per dog, no criminal charge
- Solo at-large penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor
- Unidentified-animal hold
- Minimum 5 days before disposition
- Identified-animal hold
- Minimum 10 days before disposition
Summary
Chesapeake bans letting a dog roam off its owner's property without a fence, chain, or leash controlling it. Animal Services can impound any loose dog, and owners of dogs caught running in a pack face a $50 per-dog civil penalty; running at large alone is a class 4 misdemeanor under Sec. 10-42.
It shall be unlawful for any dog, cat, or other domestic, companion animal, livestock, fowl, exotic, or wild animal held under captivity, to run at large in the city. For the purpose of this section, a dog, cat, or other domestic animal, or any such companion animal, livestock, fowl, exotic, or wild animal held under captivity, shall be deemed to be running at large while roaming or running off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate physical control. Physical control shall mean confinement of the animal by a fence, chain or leash. The owner or custodian of any dog found running at large in a pack shall be subject to a civil penalty of $50.00 per dog so found, and shall not be charged criminally.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-42 defines running at large broadly: any dog, cat, or other domestic, companion, livestock, fowl, exotic, or captive wild animal is at large whenever it roams off its owner's property and is not under the owner's or custodian's immediate physical control, meaning confined by a fence, chain, or leash. An animal control officer may impound any animal caught violating the section. An impounded animal with no collar, tag, or tattoo is held at least five days from the day after capture; one wearing identification is held at least ten days, and the officer must try to notify the identifiable owner within 48 hours.
Unclaimed animals become City property and may be adopted under the Sec. 1 sterilization and microchip requirements, transferred to a licensed shelter or rescue for adoption or euthanasia, or humanely disposed of under Va. 2-6502. A feral dog or cat without identification that a disinterested party certifies as a bite risk can be euthanized after just three days, at least one a full business day. Hunting dogs are exempt from the at-large ban itself but must wear a collar with the owner's nameplate and a City license tag while hunting or otherwise loose; a hunting dog cited for any other Code violation, or an unlawful act under state law, is still subject to impoundment.
Penalties split two ways: a dog caught running in a pack with other loose dogs draws a $50 civil penalty per dog, paid into the treasury under Va. 2-6534, with no criminal charge, while any other at-large violation is a class 4 misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog, cat, or other covered animal roam off your property without a fence, chain, or leash controlling it violates Sec. 10-42. A single loose dog not in a pack is a class 4 misdemeanor; a dog caught running with other loose dogs draws a $50 civil penalty per dog instead, with no criminal charge. Hunting dogs lose their exemption if cited for any other Code or state-law violation while afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dog running at large in Chesapeake?
How long does Chesapeake Animal Services hold an impounded dog?
Are hunting dogs exempt from the leash law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chesapeake
Compare Chesapeake to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.