Section 90.12 of the Noblesville Code ('Restraint of Animals/Animals at Large') makes it unlawful for any owner or custodian to allow an animal to run at large within the city. Dogs must be on a leash and under the direct control of a competent person when on public property or property open to the public. Dogs may be off-leash only on the owner's own property under direct voice command, or inside designated dog parks. Section 90.03 imposes a general duty of care, and the City's tethering rule prohibits chaining a dog between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or tethering at a vacant property unattended, with a 12-foot minimum tether length and operable swivels on both ends.
Noblesville's restraint framework is in Chapter 90 of the Code of Ordinances (Title IX - General Regulations). Sec. 90.12 ('Restraint of Animals/Animals at Large') establishes the baseline: it is unlawful for any owner or custodian of any animal to allow such animal to run at large within the incorporated areas of the city, and dogs must be on a leash and under the direct control of a competent person while on public property or property open to the public, or off-leash and obedient to the person's command with the person present on the owner's property or in a designated dog park. Sec. 90.03 ('Duties and Responsibilities of Animal Owners') imposes a general duty on every owner or custodian to exercise reasonable care to protect people, property and other animals from injuries or damage that might result from the animal's behavior. The tethering provisions are a notable Noblesville feature flagged by PETA as a model: the chaining of dogs is officially 'discouraged,' and even when permitted, no dog may be tethered between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; no dog may be tethered or confined at a vacant structure or premises when not monitored by a competent person; and the tether itself must be at least 12 feet in length with operational swivels on both ends. Sec. 90.04 governs animal bites and quarantine, working in tandem with Indiana State Department of Health rabies rules. Indiana state law backs up the local framework: IC 15-20-1 ('Dangerous Dogs') and IC 35-46-3 (animal cruelty) provide the state-level overlay, and IC 15-17 (animal health) covers rabies vaccination. Noblesville does not require a separate municipal pet license, but Indiana law requires rabies vaccination for all dogs, cats, and ferrets over three months of age (IC 15-17-6-2; 345 IAC 1-5). Field enforcement is by Hamilton County Animal Services from 18100 Cumberland Rd, Noblesville (317-773-1282 non-emergency, 317-776-4110 active complaints), in coordination with the Noblesville Police Department.
Allowing an animal to run at large within Noblesville, or walking a dog off-leash on public property outside a designated dog park, is a violation of Sec. 90.12. Tethering a dog between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., tethering at a vacant property without supervision, or using a tether less than 12 feet long or without operational swivels violates the Sec. 90.12 tethering rules. Failure to maintain rabies vaccination violates IC 15-17-6-2 and 345 IAC 1-5. Ordinance violations are punishable by civil penalty under the Code's general penalty (Title I, Sec. 10.99), with escalating fines for repeat offenses; serious cruelty cases involving tethering can be charged criminally under IC 35-46-3. Field response is by Hamilton County Animal Services (317-773-1282).
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