Lake County, IL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Lake County Code § 172.07
- Control means
- leash, owner's premises, or enclosure
- Max fine
- up to $1,000 per violation
- 2nd at-large offense
- mandatory sterilization in 30 days
- Exemptions
- hunting dogs, supervised dog parks
Summary
Lake County requires owners to keep dogs, cats and other animals under control by leash, confinement on the owner's premises, or an enclosure whenever the animal is off the owner's property; loose animals can be impounded.
An owner or harborer of a dog, cat, or other animal shall control the animal when it is not on their premises. A dog, cat, or other animal found running at large contrary to provisions of this chapter may be apprehended and impounded.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Lake County Code § 172.07 makes owners and harborers responsible for controlling a dog, cat, or other animal whenever it's off the owner's premises: control means keeping it leashed, confined to the owner's or a permitting person's property, or crated per § 172.02. Animals caught running at large can be seized and impounded by the county's Animal Care and Control Program. A dog or cat picked up loose a second time must be sterilized within 30 days of reclaiming. Hunting dogs working open land and dogs supervised in designated dog-friendly areas or dog parks are exempted from the at-large definition.
Violations & Fines
Violations carry a fine up to $1,000 per occurrence, with each day a separate offense, enforced by the State's Attorney or Attorney General; a second at-large offense requires sterilization within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lake County require dogs to be on a leash?
What happens if my dog is caught loose a second time?
Does this ordinance apply inside Waukegan or Highland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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