Mount Prospect, IL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 20.202 applies to every animal, not only dogs, and it bans permitting an animal to "stray or to run at large upon or in any public place." The definitions in Section 20.101 give the rule its content. An animal under control is one secured by a leash or tether; within the house of its owner or another person with that person's consent; confined within a crate or cage; confined within a vehicle; or within an area specifically approved by the animal control official as an animal exercise run. A stray animal is any animal that is not under control of the owner by leash or tether, supervised by the owner in a fenced yard, kept within the property borders by electronic means, or kept in an area such as a kennel run. The definition adds that keeping an animal from being a stray animal "is not the same as 'securely confined'." The animal control official is the chief of police and any designated agent of the chief.

Section 20.202 lets the Village immediately impound a stray animal found in the public way, within a public place or upon the private premises of any person other than the owner. The section does not apply to an animal being used for military or law enforcement work or an animal trained to assist persons with disabilities.

Impoundment follows Article III of the chapter. The owner is notified by personal service or by posting a notice on the front of the residence within two (2) working days, and the notice tells the owner that a written request for a hearing can be made to contest the impoundment. Section 20.304 lets the Village hold an impounded animal for five (5) days or any applicable statutory period, whichever is longer.

Related rules sit in the same article. Section 20.204 K bars allowing an animal at any time to molest persons or vehicles by chasing, barking or biting, and calls it an absolute liability prohibition. Section 20.204 L requires a receptacle for removing excrement whenever an animal is on property the person does not own or possess. Section 20.205 B requires a dog or cat off its owner's property to wear a collar with owner identification and the Cook County department of animal and rabies control tag.