Montgomery County, OH Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- ORC 955.22(C)
- Enforcement
- County Animal Resource Center
- Standard
- Confine or reasonable control
- Local rules
- City/village may add leash law
- MetroParks
- Leash required, clean up
Summary
Ohio law (ORC 955.22(C)) requires dogs to be kept confined on the owner's premises or under reasonable control at all times. The Montgomery County Animal Resource Center enforces at-large complaints countywide; municipalities may add stricter leash rules.
no owner, keeper, or harborer of any dog shall fail at any time to do either of the following: (1) Keep the dog physically confined or restrained upon the premises... by a leash, tether, adequate fence, supervision, or secure enclosure; (2) Keep the dog under the reasonable control of some person.
Full Breakdown
There is no single county leash length. Statewide ORC 955.22(C) requires every dog owner to either physically confine the dog on their premises (leash, tether, fence, supervision, or secure enclosure) or keep it under reasonable control at all times. The Montgomery County Animal Resource Center (ARC) responds to stray and at-large dog complaints across the county. Individual cities and villages (Dayton, Kettering, Huber Heights, etc.) commonly impose their own leash ordinances that may be stricter. In Five Rivers MetroParks, dogs must be leashed and dog droppings removed from trails.
Violations & Fines
A running-at-large violation under ORC 955.22 is a minor misdemeanor for a first offense, escalating for repeat or dangerous-dog violations; impound and reclaim fees apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ohio require a leash everywhere?
Who do I call about a loose dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Ohio animal ordinances overview
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