Collierville, TN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Chapter 94 builds the dog restraint rules in layers. Section 94.22 makes it unlawful for any person knowingly to permit a dog owned by or under that person's control to run at large within the corporate limits. Section 94.23 sets the leash duty: the owner of any dog permitted in a public place must see that it is on a leash in the hands of a person capable of managing the dog so that it will not bite or injure any person or animal or damage any property.

Park rules are stricter. Section 94.30(A) prohibits knowingly allowing a dog to run at large in any park or on any public property, or to enter any of the lakes, ponds, fountains or streams there, but excludes areas expressly demarcated as Off Leash areas. Under § 94.30(B), no dog is permitted in any Town-owned athletic facility except guide dogs and other service animals. Section 94.30(C) repeats the leash duty for public places, and § 94.30(D) requires the owner or custodian to remove feces left by the dog within Town parks. Section 94.29 extends cleanup to any property other than the owner's premises, with an exemption for owners who are legally blind, confined to a wheelchair or otherwise physically unable to dispose of waste.

Section 94.31 covers dogs that go uncontrolled on another's premises without consent or on a highway, public road, street or any other place open to the public. It is not a defense that the owner exercised reasonable care in trying to confine the dog. The exceptions are a dog used by law enforcement, a dog protecting its owner or another innocent party from attack, and a violation resulting from the injured person disturbing, harassing, assaulting or otherwise provoking the dog.

A loose dog can be impounded. Under § 94.26, a designated animal services employee or law enforcement officer can impound any animal found running at large. An impounded animal with a known owner or identification such as a microchip, rabies tag or ID tag is held at least five working days at Collierville Animal Services; an unlicensed animal with no identification is held at least three working days from the date of seizure. The owner reclaims the animal after complying with the vaccination and licensing provisions and paying the Town's impoundment and boarding fees.