Oldham County, KY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Oldham County Code Section 90.02, Restraint Required, makes it unlawful for any person to own or harbor an animal, other than a community cat, that is not under restraint at all times or that is permitted to run at large. Section 90.01 defines AT LARGE as any animal that is off its owner's property and not under the immediate control of a responsible adult. Section 90.02 goes further for dogs specifically: any dog off its owner's property must be leashed and must wear a visible dog license tag and a rabies vaccination tag, both issued through Section 90.03's annual licensing and vaccination program.

The only carve-out is for hunting dogs: a hound or other hunting dog released from restraint to hunt is considered under its handler's reasonable control while hunting or returning from the field, and a temporarily lost or wandering hunting dog is not automatically in violation. Section 90.17 extends the restraint duty to non-residents visiting the county, though visitors are excused from the licensing requirement, while new residents get 30 days to license their dogs after moving in. The Animal Control Officer or its agents may issue a warning, sign a criminal complaint, or cite the owner under Section 90.06, and violations carry the penalty set out in Section 90.99.