Gordon County, GA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

The leash rule sits in Sec. 3.5-24(a)(5) of the Gordon County Code, part of the Gordon County Animal Control Ordinance. It is unlawful for the owner of a dog, or anyone with the dog in his possession or control, to permit it to be out of control and unattended on the owner's premises within the unincorporated areas of Gordon County, or on another person's property without the permission of that owner or the person in possession. The Code then defines control: a dog is under control if it is controlled by a leash, is at heel or beside a competent person and obedient to that person's commands, is within a vehicle being driven or parked on the road or a parking lot, or is within the property limits of its owner or keeper.

"At large" has its own definition in Sec. 3.5-24(a)(1)c: off the premises of the owner or keeper, and not under leash or other physical restraint of the owner or a responsible person. A dog running at large, a dog without an attached rabies tag, a dog off the owner's premises that the county's agent has reason to believe is a stray, and a female dog in heat off the owner's premises are all subject to impoundment. Notice goes by certified mail or hand delivery. The owner has three (3) days to respond, and redeems the dog by paying confiscation costs set by the Board of Commissioners and proving a rabies inoculation within the preceding twelve months, or paying for the shot. A fee schedule is posted at the Gordon County Animal Shelter.

Tethered dogs fall under Sec. 3.5-26, added by an ordinance dated 1-2-13. The tether must be no less than ten (10) feet long and allow access to the maximum available exercise area, it must allow free access to food, water and shelter, and it must not allow the animal to leave the owner's lot or parcel. Under Sec. 3.5-46 the rabies control officer can also impound dogs running at large without rabies tags.