Modoc County, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Modoc County Code Chapter 6.02 (Dog Control) governs dogs in the unincorporated county. Section 6.02.102 (Dogs at large) provides that no person shall permit, allow or cause any dog to 'roam, run or stray away from the premises where such dog is kept or harbored, except in the company or custody and under the control of the owner or some responsible person.' It also bars letting a dog run on the land of another without the landowner's permission. Importantly for this ranching county, the section states that dogs 'being used for the movement of livestock or other farm-related duties' and dogs 'being used lawfully in the pursuit of game animals or birds' are considered under the control of the owner or other responsible person. The County Code does not set a specific maximum leash length. A violation of Section 6.02.102 is a misdemeanor carrying a minimum fine of twenty-five dollars and may result in the dog being impounded. Animal control is the Sheriff/Coroner or a designee (Section 6.02.090), and peace officers may take up and impound dogs found running free or at large that are not properly licensed and vaccinated (Section 6.02.092).