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

Dogs in Franklin must be under the control of their owner at all times. Title 10 of the Franklin Municipal Code (Animal Control) carries forward the standard Tennessee municipal pattern prohibiting dogs from running at large and requiring rabies vaccination, with animal control field enforcement performed by Williamson County Animal Control under an inter-governmental services arrangement. At the state level, TCA 44-8-408(a)(1) makes it an offense for the owner of a dog to allow the dog to go uncontrolled by the owner upon the premises of another without that person's consent, or to run at large in a place where the public commonly gathers or has a right to gather. Violation of TCA 44-8-408 is a Class C misdemeanor on the first offense and may escalate. TCA 44-8-413 imposes a strict-liability civil-damages standard on owners whose dogs are running at large and cause injury - even on a first incident - while injuries by a dog kept under reasonable control are governed by ordinary common-law negligence and the 'one-bite rule.' Tennessee law (TCA 68-8-108) further requires every dog three (3) months of age or older to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian and to wear a current rabies tag. The Williamson County Animal Center (1006 Grigsby Hayes Court, Franklin, TN 37064, 615-790-5590) holds impounded animals, issues rabies and pet licenses, and dispatches Animal Control Officers (ACOs) to enforce state law and local ordinances throughout Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, and unincorporated Williamson County.