Penn Hills, PA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 612.01(b)-(c)
- On owner's property
- Must be confined
- On streets
- Leash and owner required
- Loose dogs
- Subject to seizure by police
Summary
The Municipality of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania requires dogs be confined on their owner's property or, if on a public street, kept on a leash and accompanied by the owner.
Dogs and cats shall be confined on the premises of the owner thereof. When allowed out, the same must be under the control at all times of the owner thereof. Dogs are permitted on the streets and highways of the Municipality when on a leash and in the care of the owner thereof.
(c) It is the duty of the police officers of the Municipality and the dogcatchers to seize and detain any dog bearing a proper license tag and found running at large upon the public streets or highways, or upon property other than that of the owner of such dog, and unaccompanied by the owner or keeper thereof. Police officers and dogcatchers are hereby authorized to go upon any premises and enter any building to seize and detain any dog that has been found running at large unaccompanied by the owner or keeper thereof when such police officer or dogcatcher is in immediate pursuit of such dog.
(d) Where proper complaint or other evidence has verified the fact that a dog is mad, or is suffering from rabies, any such dog shall be shot on sight by a police officer or the dogcatcher, regardless of whether or not the dog bears a proper license tag.
(e)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4434863; v5 updated 2025-07-21; through 07-21-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 612.01(b) of the Municipality of Penn Hills' Animals chapter, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, requires dogs be confined on the owner's premises and kept under the owner's control when let out; on Municipality streets and highways, a dog is allowed only while on a leash and in its owner's care. Police officers and dogcatchers may seize and detain any dog -- even one wearing a valid license tag -- found running at large on public property without its owner or keeper, per § 612.01(c).
Violations & Fines
A loose, unleashed, or unaccompanied dog can be seized and detained by police or the dogcatcher under § 612.01(c); Chapter 612 sets no separate fine for § 612.01, so violations fall under the Municipality's general Code penalty, § 202.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk my dog off-leash in Penn Hills?
What happens if my dog gets loose and is caught?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Penn Hills
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Dog Leash Laws in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Allegheny County handle dog leash laws.