Lucas County, OH Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- ORC 955.21
- Restraint required
- Leash, fence, enclosure, or control
- Enforcement
- Lucas County Canine Care & Control
- First-offense fine
- $25 to $100
- Toledo nuisance rule
- TMC 505.09 at-large
Summary
Ohio law (ORC 955.21) requires every dog to be physically confined on the owner's premises by leash, fence, or enclosure, or kept under a person's reasonable control. Lucas County Canine Care & Control enforces running-at-large countywide.
No owner, keeper, or harborer of any dog shall fail at any time to do either of the following: (1) Keep the dog physically confined or restrained upon the premises of the owner, keeper, or harborer by a leash, tether, adequate fence, supervision, or secure enclosure to prevent escape; (2) Keep the dog under the reasonable control of some person.
Full Breakdown
Ohio Revised Code 955.21 governs dogs statewide, so it applies throughout Lucas County including Toledo, Maumee, Oregon, Sylvania, and the townships. An owner must keep the dog restrained on their own property or under reasonable control by a person off the property; there is no fixed-length leash rule for ordinary dogs, but a dangerous dog must be on a six-foot chain-link leash off-premises (ORC 955.22). Lucas County Canine Care & Control (the county dog warden) and municipal police enforce it. Toledo separately makes dogs or cats running at large a nuisance (TMC 505.09).
Violations & Fines
Loose-dog offenses carry $25-$100 fines for a first offense and $75-$250 for repeats, with possible 30-day jail; higher grades for nuisance, dangerous, or vicious dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog have to be leashed on my own yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lucas County
Compare Lucas County to another location·View the Ohio animal ordinances overview
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