Murfreesboro, TN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large dogs
- unlawful, may be impounded
- Leash exception
- leash strong enough to prevent escape
- Trespassing dogs
- unlawful, enclosed or not
- Penalty
- City Code § 1-8
Summary
Murfreesboro dogs can't run at large or trespass: owners must keep them enclosed or confined, though a dog on a public street is legal if held on a leash strong enough to prevent escape.
It shall be unlawful for persons to negligently, willfully, or knowingly permit any dog under their control to run at large in the City or to trespass upon the property of another in the City, whether or not such property is enclosed, or to fail to keep the same enclosed or confined as to prevent the same from so running at large or trespassing upon the property of another; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall prohibit any dog from appearing upon any street or other public place in the City if such dog is under the full control of the owner or attendant through training or by being held with a leash of sufficient strength to prevent escape.
(1949 Code, Ch. 4 § 16; Ord. of 03-28-68 § 1; Ord. No. 78-21 § 1, 11-09-78)
Cross reference— Code § 21-15, keeping of noisy pets prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 18 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 5-24 makes it unlawful for anyone to negligently, willfully, or knowingly let a dog under their control run at large in the City or trespass on another's property, enclosed or not: owners must keep dogs confined to prevent both. The law carves out one exception: a dog may be out on a City street or public place if it's under the full control of its owner or handler, either through training or by being held on a leash strong enough to prevent escape. Impounded strays are handled under § 5-27, and rabies vaccination is separately required under § 5-25.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run at large, trespass, or roam unleashed off the owner's control violates § 5-24; the dog may be impounded under § 5-27 and the owner penalized under City Code § 1-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Murfreesboro require dogs to be on a leash in public?
What happens if my dog gets loose in Murfreesboro?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murfreesboro
Compare Murfreesboro to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
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