Lenexa, KS Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 3-2-D-2 does two things. It makes it unlawful to permit any animal to be at large in the City, and it bars picketing or tying an animal so that it can reach any street, public sidewalk, or public or private property other than the owner's.

The definition of AT LARGE in § 3-2-G-2 supplies the leash rule. An animal found on property other than its owner's is at large, with one exception: it is merely passing along or through while being led on a leash. On its owner's own property, an animal is not at large if it is confined to a chain, leash or other lead of sufficient strength to hold it, secured within a fence, or under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's command. An electronic fence counts as a fence only if § 3-2-C-6 is met: the dog must wear a functional collar or device at all times, cannot be nearer than 10 feet from any public sidewalk, and the property must be clearly posted. Electronic collars cannot control a dog off the owner's property, and an electronic fence cannot confine a dangerous dog.

Waste rules travel with the leash. Under § 3-2-D-3, anyone who appears with an animal on public ways, in public places or on another person's property without consent needs some means for removing excrement, and must immediately remove whatever the animal leaves. A blind person walking a service dog is excused from those two subsections.

The Animal Control Officer can immediately impound any animal found at large, even if no neighbor complains (§ 3-2-F-3). The animal is held at an approved shelter for not more than five days, counted from pickup, and the owner reclaims it by paying all fees and charges. After the five days the shelter is deemed the owner. Dogs declared dangerous face tighter limits: outside an enclosure they need a muzzle and a leash of not more than four feet under an adult's direct control (§ 3-2-D-8).