Highlands County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash required
- Collar and leash off owner's property
- Enforcing agency
- Highlands County Animal Control
- Minimum hold
- 5 calendar days after impoundment
- Unclaimed disposal
- Humane disposal after 10 days
- Hunting exemption
- Licensed hunting dogs under F.S. ch. 372
- Citation
- Highlands County Code §§ 4.5-21, 4.5-22
Summary
In unincorporated Highlands County, every dog must wear a collar and leash whenever it is on a public street, right-of-way or another person's property, kept under the control of a person strong and mature enough to manage it. A dog caught roaming loose can be impounded by Highlands County Animal Control and held at least five calendar days before an owner may redeem it.
All dogs, when on or about the public streets, rights-of-way or other public places shall be on a collar and leash, under the direct care, custody, control and supervision of a person who has sufficient maturity and strength to care for, control and manage the dog. All dogs, when in, or about the private property of any person or persons other than that of the person who owns, harbors, maintains or keeps the dog, shall be under the direct care, custody, control and supervision of a person who has sufficient maturity and strength to care for, control and manage the dog and shall also be on a collar and leash unless the owner of the private property otherwise permits. Any dog found in violation of this section may be impounded and, if impounded, shall be held for at least five calendar days, including the day of impoundment, during which time the owner shall be notified of the impoundment, if possible, and the animal shall be available for the owner to redeem.
Full Breakdown
5-21 makes it unlawful for anyone who owns, harbors, keeps or maintains a dog to let it roam, wander or run at large on public streets, rights-of-way or other public places, or on private property belonging to someone else. 5-22 backs that up with the leash mandate: on public property a dog must be on a collar and leash under an able handler's direct control at all times, and the same collar-and-leash rule follows the dog onto a stranger's private property unless that property owner allows otherwise.
The definition sweeps broadly: for this article 'dog' includes all animals of the family canidae. Two narrow carve-outs exist. ch. 5-27 exempts dogs working under the direction of law enforcement officers. 5-24, must be held at least five calendar days, including the day of impoundment, with the owner notified where possible; if the fifth day falls when the shelter is closed, the next open day counts as the fifth. 5-26 and must be paid before the dog is released.
Violations & Fines
A first-time leash or at-large violation is handled through impoundment rather than a citation: the dog can be held for at least five days while animal control tries to notify the owner. Unredeemed dogs may go to a rescue group after five days or be humanely disposed of after ten days under section 4.5-25. The Board of County Commissioners sets impoundment fees by resolution, and all fees and accrued costs must be paid before the dog leaves the shelter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a leash on my own property in Highlands County?
What happens if animal control picks up my loose dog?
Are hunting dogs allowed to run loose in Highlands County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highlands County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Highlands County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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