Rutherford County, TN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Rutherford County's animal control program operates under the PAWS Rules and Regulations (most recent revision June 3, 2025) administered by Pet Adoption & Welfare Services at 285 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro. PAWS enforces the rules in unincorporated Rutherford County and, by interlocal agreement, in the City of Murfreesboro. State authority for dog-at-large enforcement comes from Tennessee Code Annotated 44-8-408, which makes it an offense for a dog to be uncontrolled on the premises of another or on a public roadway or place open to the public. Under T.C.A. 44-8-408, the offense is fine-only Class B misdemeanor if the dog causes property damage; Class A misdemeanor for bodily injury; Class E felony for serious bodily injury; and Class D felony if the dog causes a death. A PAWS officer may impound a dog found at large for safekeeping if the dog cannot be confined or presents a danger to the public, traffic, or other animals. Any impounded dog wearing an ID tag or implanted with a microchip is held a minimum of 5 business days before becoming eligible for adoption, transfer, or disposition. The owner of an impounded dog may redeem by paying the current impound fee, daily boarding fee, any required vaccination fees, and other applicable charges - subsequent impoundments of the same animal double the impound fee. The Town of Smyrna, City of La Vergne, and other municipalities may enforce their own animal codes within corporate limits. Tethering, dangerous-dog, and cruelty rules are addressed in the PAWS Rules and Regulations document and in T.C.A. Title 44, Chapter 8.