Kenton County, KY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 90.15(A) of the Kenton County Code states it is unlawful for any person to permit any animal owned or harbored by him or her to run at large. RUNNING AT LARGE is defined in § 90.01 as any animal, other than a hunting dog released to hunt, that is off the owner's property and not restrained. RESTRAINT itself means the dog is enclosed by fencing designed to control its movement or secured by a leash, chain or cable tie-out, or that it remains on the owner's premises, or is accompanied by a responsible person who keeps it under immediate control; a dog on its own porch or in a fenced yard therefore satisfies the rule without a physical leash.

Kentucky law carves out hunting dogs: under KRS 258.215, referenced at § 90.15(F), a hound or hunting dog released for hunting is deemed under reasonable control while hunting or returning from the hunt, and a handler is not in violation if the dog temporarily wanders out of sight. Separately, § 90.14(D) sets tethering specifics for any dog chained or tied by something other than a hand-held leash: at least ten feet of chain, rope, or cable, a non-choke buckle collar or harness, positioning at least ten feet from a public road or sidewalk edge, no tethering during extreme weather or while the dog is sick or injured, and no unattended tethering of a dog under five months old.

A first at-large violation under § 90.99(A)(6) is fined $25 to $100, rising to $50 to $250 for a second or later offense, and the code separately allows Animal Control to place traps under § 90.10(M) and to issue a warning or civil citation requiring immediate correction rather than the usual 14-day window.