Leander, TX Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

The City of Leander's Animal Control ordinance (Chapter 2) treats a dog as 'at-large' if it is not under the owner's control by a leash, chain, cord, or other suitable material attached to a collar or harness, and is not otherwise restrained on the owner's property by a leash, chain, cord, or fence. Notably, an animal is considered NOT restrained if the property owner relies solely on an invisible (electronic) fence. A dog inside a vehicle in a public place, or in the open bed of a moving or parked vehicle in a public place, is also deemed at-large unless restrained so it cannot exit on its own. Any dog in a city park or public recreation area must be controlled by a leash or similar physical restraint, unless it is inside a designated off-leash area within a city park facility and in compliance with posted rules there. Animal Services officers patrol for violations and may impound any animal observed at-large on public or private property. Texas has no statewide leash law; under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826, local governments are authorized to adopt their own dog and cat restraint regulations, which is the authority Leander relies on.