Knox County, TN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large rule
- Own premises or direct control off it, § 6-32
- Direct control means
- Fence, leash, cord or chain, § 6-31
- Park leash length
- Six feet maximum, § 6-48(a)
- Park exclusions
- Livestock, wild animals, dangerous dogs, § 6-48(b)
- Exempt animals
- Hunting, herding and show dogs, § 6-32(d)
- Civil penalty
- $50 to $500 per day, § 6-47
Summary
Knox County requires every dog owner to keep the animal "exclusively upon his own premises" or under "direct control" whenever it's off that property, under Code Section 6-32. Direct control means a fence, leash, cord or chain strong enough to restrain the dog, per Section 6-31. On county park property, Section 6-48 tightens that further: dogs and other animals must be on a leash no longer than six feet, held by a competent person.
Direct control means immediate and continuous physical control of an animal (excluding herding dogs, dogs in the process of hunting, police dogs, dogs participating in organized field competition, and community cats) at all times such as by means of a fence, leash, cord or chain of sufficient strength to restrain the animal. ... (a)No person owning or having possession, charge, care, custody or control of any animal shall cause, permit or allow the animal to stray or in any manner to run at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk or park or upon the property of another.(b)Every person owning or having possession, charge, care, custody or control of any animal shall keep such animal exclusively upon his own premises; provided, however, that such animal may be off such premises if it is under the direct control of a competent person. ... Sec. 6-48. - Leash requirement. (a)Leash requirement. All animals must be on a leash not exceeding six feet in length and in the custody of a competent person while on Knox County Park Property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-32(a) makes it unlawful for any owner to let an animal "stray or in any manner run at large" on a public street, sidewalk, park, or another person's property, and Section 6-32(b) requires the animal to be kept exclusively on the owner's own premises unless it is under the direct control of a competent person while off it. " Section 6-32(d) exempts a dog on a hunt or chase, a dog guarding or driving stock, and any animal in an organized show from the at-large and premises rules.
In Knox County parks specifically, Section 6-48(a) requires all animals to be on a leash "not exceeding six feet in length," and subsection (b) bars livestock, privately owned wild or exotic animals, and any dog already classified as dangerous from park property entirely; some individual parks post signs barring all privately owned animals under subsection (c). Section 6-48(d) also makes the handler responsible for removing the animal's waste from the park. Enforcement falls to the Sheriff's Office animal control division, which can also open a nuisance investigation under Section 6-33 if a loose or barking dog interferes with a neighboring resident's use of their property.
Violations & Fines
An at-large violation is a civil infraction under Section 6-47: an animal control officer or law enforcement officer with probable cause may issue a citation, the case is heard in Knox County General Sessions Court, and the civil penalty runs $50.00 to $500.00, with each day of a continuing violation billed as a separate offense. A default judgment can be entered up to the maximum penalty if the owner fails to appear in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Knox County require dogs to be leashed on my own property?
What leash length is required in Knox County parks?
Are hunting or herding dogs exempt from the at-large law?
What is the penalty for letting a dog run at large in Knox County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knox County
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