Haverford, PA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 49-13 of the Haverford Township Code governs dog control. Subsection A requires owners to keep their canine, licensed or not, at all times from running at large, molesting passersby or passing vehicles, or attacking other animals. Subsection B defines running at large on the owner's own premises: a canine that is neither tied nor secured within an enclosure.

Off the owner's property, subsection D requires a lead not exceeding six feet in length and of sufficient strength to restrain the dog, held by a person of sufficient strength and maturity to control it. A tied dog on the owner's property cannot have a lead that extends onto walkways, pedestrians' right-of-way or neighboring property under subsection C.

Confinement under subsection E means being inside the residential structure, physically restrained by a chain or leash on the residential property, or inside a suitable fence or enclosure from which the animal cannot escape or endanger public safety. Subsection F treats a dog on the residential property, in the presence of its owner and showing direct and immediate voice control, as properly controlled.

Electronic fences and collars are allowed under subsection G, with conditions: the collar can be controlled manually or automatically, a confined dog cannot be nearer than five feet from any public sidewalk or right-of-way, whichever is greater, and dogs found dangerous by the Animal Control Officer cannot be confined by electronic means in the front yard.

Under § 49-15, police or the Animal Control Officer can take a dog running at large to a local veterinarian for no more than four days before transport to a confinement facility if the owner cannot be found. Return to the owner requires a reasonable recovery fee and reimbursement of care and medical costs. Section 49-14 separately makes it unlawful to permit a dog to injure a person by biting, jumping on, knocking down or attacking.