Milwaukee County, WI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length
- 6 feet max
- Applies to
- County-owned or leased property
- Also required
- Waste removal
- Parks
- Separate off-leash rule (ch. 47)
- Penalty
- $1 to $250 fine
Summary
Dogs on Milwaukee County-owned or leased property must be leashed to six feet or less, with a parallel rule covering county parks and parkways.
No person having the control or care of a dog shall suffer or permit such dog to enter or remain in upon any premises owned or leased by Milwaukee County unless it be led by a leash of suitable strength not more than six (6) feet in length, and then only within such areas as have been designated by the Milwaukee County officer or administrator who has jurisdiction over the premises.(2)No owner or caretaker of any animal may appear with the animal on or in any premises owned or leased by Milwaukee County without a shovel, scoop, bag or other item for the removal of fecal matter. The owner or caretaker of an animal shall immediately, after deposit of fecal matter on such premises, remove all fecal matter by shovel, scoop, bag or other item and properly wrap and deposit the fecal matter in a waste container upon his or her own premises or in a container designated for that purpose.(3)Control of dogs in Milwaukee County parks or parkways and in any area designated by the parks director for off-leash exercise shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 47 of these ordinances and by rules promulgated by the parks director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 112).
Full Breakdown
Milwaukee County requires any dog on county-owned or leased property to be on a leash no longer than six feet, confined to areas the responsible county officer or administrator has designated for dogs. Handlers must also carry supplies to pick up waste and dispose of it properly. Dogs in county parks and parkways follow a parallel leash rule under chapter 47, including designated off-leash exercise areas, and this section expressly defers park dog control to that chapter. Outside parks, on other county buildings and grounds, this is the controlling leash law.
Violations & Fines
Violating the county dog-leash rule is punishable under section 63.07: a fine of $1 to $250, plus costs, or up to 90 days in the house of correction if the fine goes unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the leash rule apply throughout Milwaukee County?
Can dogs go off-leash anywhere in Milwaukee County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee County
Compare Milwaukee County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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