Houston County, GA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Core rule
- Animals must be kept under restraint
- Governing section
- Code Sec. 10-9
- First impoundment fee
- $25.00
- Redemption window
- 4 working days
- Acceptable restraint
- Leash, heel, fenced yard, e-fence with signage
Summary
Houston County requires every animal owner to keep their pet under restraint at all times. Sec. 10-9 defines restraint as a hand-held leash, obedience at heel, confinement in a vehicle, a fenced yard in approved zoning, or a properly signed electronic fence.
Sec. 10-9. - Restraint of animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to keep any animal under restraint which is owned by or in the custody or control of such person.
Full Breakdown
Sec. " Sec. 10-1's definitions section spells out exactly what counts: an animal on a hand-held leash, at heel beside a competent handler, inside a vehicle parked or driven on county streets, inside a fence on property zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RMH, C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2 or PUD, anywhere within an R-AG zone, in a designated off-leash dog park area, or contained by a working electronic confinement system posted with a "Caution - Electronic Animal Confinement System" sign. " An animal that is "repeatedly running at large" is separately declared a public nuisance under Sec.
10-1(4), reachable through the Sec. 10-10 nuisance offense. Any animal in violation of the restraint requirement, on public or private property, is subject to impoundment by the animal control officer under Sec. 10-76, and redemption requires paying the impoundment fee, boarding costs and showing proof of current rabies inoculation within four working days under Sec. 10-77.
Violations & Fines
Failing to restrain an animal violates Sec. 10-9, punishable under the general penalty schedule of Sec. 1-11 via Sec. 10-2, and the animal is subject to impoundment under Sec. 10-76 with fees of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or later offense per Sec. 10-78.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Houston County require dogs to be on a leash?
Can an electronic fence satisfy the restraint requirement?
What happens if my dog is picked up running loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston County
Compare Houston County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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