Gary, IN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Chapter 8, Article I of the Gary Municipal Code defines restraint at § 8-1 as an animal securely fenced in or housed on the owner's property, or secured by leash whenever it leaves that property. Section 8-3(a) makes restraint mandatory at all times and places the burden on the owner to exercise proper care and control so the dog does not become a public nuisance, a term § 8-1 defines to include molesting passersby or passing vehicles, attacking other animals, trespassing on school grounds, being repeatedly at large, damaging property, barking, whining or howling excessively, or biting.

A female dog in heat must be confined so it cannot contact another animal except for planned breeding. Any dog the animal control center determines vicious must be confined in a building or secure enclosure and muzzled or caged whenever it is off the owner's premises. Section 8-3(b) gives animal control officers and other law enforcement officers the power to seize or destroy an animal they reasonably believe is vicious and running at large, though destruction must be carried out reasonably, accounting for location and any harm to persons or property.

Enforcement runs through animal control officers and police under § 8-39, and refusing an officer entry or refusing to surrender an animal on demand is treated as unlawful interference. An unrestrained dog can be impounded under § 8-40 for up to ten working days; if the owner is known, animal control notifies by phone or mail, and reclaiming the dog requires proof of rabies vaccination, a current license, and payment of the impoundment fee set in Chapter 20. Officers may instead issue a $25.00 notice of violation payable within 72 hours to the city controller's office in lieu of impounding the dog.