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

Sec. 531-102 of the Revised Code makes it a violation for an owner or keeper to let any animal run at large anywhere in the city. "At large" is defined elsewhere in the chapter as being loose and free-roaming: not on a leash and under the control of a competent person, or having any part of the animal's body outside a pen, corral, yard, cage, house, vehicle or other secure enclosure that prevents escape. A companion definition of "monitored" clarifies that a leashed animal must be close enough to its handler to be under direct control and obedient to command, on or inside a parked or moving vehicle, or confined as the chapter requires.

Penalties escalate with repeat offenses. A first at-large violation in any twelve-month period goes through the ordinance violations bureau under Chapter 103, resolved by an admission of violation and payment of a designated civil penalty. Every later violation in that same twelve-month window is enforced under Sec. 103-3 and carries a fine of not less than $100. If the loose animal attacks another animal, or chases or approaches a person in a menacing way or apparent attitude of attack, the fine rises to not less than $250, or $500 if a person or another animal is actually injured; a court can also order the animal forfeited or destroyed if the violation causes a serious injury to a person. Separately, the Parks Code carves out designated off-leash areas under Sec. 631-110(b), notwithstanding Sec. 531-102, wherever the board of parks and recreation has posted such an area.