Franklin County, KY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Franklin County Code Chapter 90 applies to the county outside the corporate limits of Frankfort, Kentucky, so a dog loose inside Frankfort falls under the city's separate code. The Fiscal Court sets the rule, and the Dog Warden, an officer employed and appointed by the Fiscal Court, enforces it along with any peace officer of the county.

Section 90.01 defines the terms that decide a case. A dog is restrained if it is kept upon the premises of its owner, or is accompanied by a responsible person off the owner's premises and kept under that person's control. Control means power to manage and direct the dog and is not limited to physical control. A dog is at large when it is off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under the control of the owner, keeper, immediate family or an agent. A hunting dog that is not on a restraint is not at large while it is subject to the master's command.

Under § 90.03 the Dog Warden or any peace officer issues the owner of any dog found off its owner's premises a citation or criminal complaint giving notice of the charge. Under § 90.02 the dog itself can be taken to the Franklin County Humane Society, Inc., Small Animal Shelter and confined in a humane manner for not less than seven days, exclusive of the date of seizure. An unclaimed dog becomes the property of the Humane Society. To reclaim a dog, the owner shows proof that it has been or is licensed under state law and proof of rabies inoculation. The owner pays a boarding charge and a pick up fee of $10 for each impoundment, plus rabies inoculation and dog license fees unless proof is shown otherwise. The Dog Warden can sell and transfer title to a dog held after the detention period ends. Reclaiming the dog does not end the matter, because the owner can still be cited. Section 90.04 separately requires a female dog in heat to be confined in a building or secure enclosure, except for planned breeding.