McCracken County, KY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Core rule
- No running at large, § 50.06(A)
- Restraint means
- Fencing, leash/chain, or supervised control
- Hunting exception
- Released dogs under handler control
- First offense
- $30-$100 fine
- Second/subsequent offense
- $60-$250 fine
- Livestock owner fine
- $60-$250 first, $150-$500 repeat
Summary
It is unlawful in unincorporated McCracken County to let a dog run at large under § 50.06(A); the code defines RESTRAINT as fencing, a leash or chain, or supervised control on the owner's premises. Hunting dogs get a narrow exception, and violators face a fine that doubles on a repeat offense.
RESTRAINT. Enclosed in an area by a form of fencing designed to control the movement of the animal or secured by a leash or chain. An animal shall be deemed to be RESTRAINED if it remains on the premises of its owner or if a responsible person accompanies it and is under that person’s control. ... § 50.06 ANIMALS TO BE UNDER CONTROL. (A) It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any animal owned or harbored by him or her, to run at large. ... § 50.99 PENALTY. ... (D) Any person violating § 50.06 relating to animals to be under control of this chapter, shall on the first offense be fined not less than $30 nor more than $100; on the second or subsequent offense shall be fined not less than $60 nor more than $250.
Full Breakdown
County Code § 50.01 defines RESTRAINT as being enclosed by fencing that controls the animal's movement, secured by a leash or chain, or remaining on the owner's premises or accompanied by a responsible person under that person's control. Section 50.06(A) makes it unlawful for any person to permit an animal they own or harbor to run at large. The RUNNING AT LARGE definition carves out an exception for a hunting dog released from restraint for hunting and under reasonable control of its handler, even if it temporarily wanders from the pack or out of sight while hunting; such a dog is not deemed a violation. Livestock running at large receive a procedural protection: Animal Control or law enforcement must make reasonable efforts to notify the owner before impoundment when feasible, though the owner still bears the pick-up, transportation, boarding and medical costs. Animal Control enforces the restraint rule countywide outside Paducah, which maintains its own separate city leash ordinance.
Violations & Fines
§ 50.99(D) sets a fine of $30 to $100 for a first offense under § 50.06 and $60 to $250 for a second or subsequent offense, on top of any impoundment fees. A livestock owner whose animals get loose faces a separate schedule under § 50.99(E): $60 to $250 on a first offense and $150 to $500 on repeat offenses, plus reimbursement of the county's capture, impoundment, boarding and veterinary costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as keeping a dog "restrained" in McCracken County?
Is there an exception for hunting dogs let off-leash?
What is the fine for letting a dog run at large in McCracken County?
What happens if livestock get loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in McCracken County
Compare McCracken County to another location·View the Kentucky animal ordinances overview
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