Monroe County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Monroe County Code § 4-67(a) prohibits an owner or keeper of "an animal, other than a domestic cat," from allowing the animal to run at large on public property or on another person's private property without the owner's permission, which covers dogs directly since cats are carved out. An animal under the close supervision of its owner or keeper, or otherwise engaged in an organized animal exhibition, field trial, competition, legal sport, or training for those activities, is not deemed to be at large. Separately, and without the supervision exception, it is unlawful for owners or keepers of a diseased animal, including a diseased cat, to allow that animal to run at large at all.

Property owners and tenants may lawfully seize, in a humane manner, any dog running at large on their own property under § 4-43(a), but must immediately deliver it to the animal control supervisor or officer. "Direct control" under § 4-1 means immediate and continuous physical control by leash, secured fence, or other confinement, and "effective voice command" means voice control within 20 feet that at all times prevents the dog from running at large. Violations are enforced through the chapter 4 citation process.