St. Joseph County, IN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 90.01, § 90.35(A)(2)
- Enforcing agency
- Animal control agency / county police
- Nuisance trigger
- 3+ at-large findings in 12 months
- First-offense hold (tagged animal)
- 10 days before adoption/euthanasia
- Untagged animal hold
- Minimum 3 business days
Summary
In unincorporated St. Joseph County, a dog is legally "at large" if it is off its owner's property without a leash, or on a leash that does not adequately confine it or that isn't under the control of a person physically able to restrain it. Animal control can seize any dog found running at large, and repeat offenders escalate into a public nuisance case.
At large means any animal that is: (1)Not on a leash and is off the property of its owner, its owner's agent or its keeper;(2)On a leash that does not adequately confine the animal to the property of its owner, its owner's agent or its keeper;(3)On a leash that is not otherwise under the immediate control of a person physically capable of restraining the animal;(4)This section does not apply to any dog in the possession of its owner's control that is currently being used in the act of hunting; and(5)This section does not apply to free-roaming and/or community cats. ... Public nuisance means any animal or animals which: ...(2)Has been found to be at large and documented to be at large three or more times in a 12-month period;...(5)Is at large or on a public park, playground, swimming pool or school yard, unless the animal is authorized by school officials;... An animal control officer, humane officer or police officer may immediately seize, impound or confine any of the following animals:...(2)Any animal running at large;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
01 defines "at large" to cover a dog that is not on a leash and off the owner's, agent's or keeper's property, or on a leash that fails to confine it or isn't under the immediate control of someone capable of restraining it. The definition carves out dogs actively being used for hunting under their owner's control, and it does not reach free-roaming or community cats. 35(A)(2), an animal control officer, humane officer or police officer may immediately seize and impound any animal found running at large, without needing a prior complaint.
01's "public nuisance" definition specifically flags an animal that has been found and documented at large three or more times within a 12-month period, and separately flags any animal at large in a public park, playground, swimming pool or school yard (unless authorized by school officials). 07(H). Impounded dogs without a county tag or microchip must be held at least three business days before being adopted out, transferred or humanely disposed of; dogs wearing a valid tag or microchip get a written notice and at least ten days to be reclaimed on a first offense, dropping to five days on repeat offenses.
Violations & Fines
Every violation of the animal chapter, including running at large, is an ordinance violation punishable by the fine set in the county's appendix schedule of fines and fees under § 90.99. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the county attorney's office can pursue a civil ordinance-violation summons in county court if the fine goes unpaid. An owner reclaiming an impounded at-large dog must also pay the redemption fee plus daily boarding, any veterinary bills and microchipping and licensing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. Joseph County require dogs to be on a leash?
Can my dog be off-leash while hunting?
What happens after multiple at-large violations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Joseph County
Compare St. Joseph County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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