Corpus Christi, TX Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Corpus Christi Code Chapter 6 requires dogs to be under the owners control at all times. Dogs must be restrained by a leash, confined in a fenced yard, properly tethered, or kept indoors. The standard leash length is 6 feet. A 2023 ordinance update requires owners of dogs deemed aggressive to use a shorter 3-foot leash when the dog is off the owners property. Dogs found at large may be picked up by Animal Care Services officers and taken to the shelter at 2626 Holly Road.

Owners must pay impoundment fees and provide proof of current rabies vaccination to reclaim their animals. The city also has tethering rules -- dogs may not be chained directly to their neck and must use a properly fitted collar or harness. Tethering must allow the animal adequate range of movement and access to food, water, and shelter. The citys off-leash dog parks provide designated areas where dogs may run freely. Contact Animal Care Services at (361) 826-4630 for questions about leash requirements.