Onslow County, NC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 4-11 of the Onslow County Code of Ordinances prohibits any dog from being at-large upon public property, streets, sidewalks, parks, or the private property of another person without that person's consent. The county's definition of "at large" in section 4-3(10) means the animal is not on the owner's property and not under immediate, continuous physical control by fence, cord, chain or other restraint. Four exceptions keep a dog from being cited as at-large: it is under the owner's direct control, it is hunting, it is engaged in an obedience demonstration, show, trial, training exercise, competition or educational program, or it is confined by a properly worn and maintained electronic confinement system.

Cats are exempt from the separate leash-restraint provision in section 4-9(2), but the at-large prohibition in section 4-11 applies to dogs. Onslow County Animal Services investigates complaints and impounds loose dogs under section 4-21; a dog not reclaimed within the 72-hour holding period becomes county property and may be adopted, fostered, transferred or humanely euthanized. Owners who reclaim a dog must pay impoundment and daily maintenance fees regardless of whether the dog was picked up for a violation, surrender, or quarantine. This section applies only within Onslow County's unincorporated area; Jacksonville, Swansboro, Richlands and Holly Ridge enforce their own leash ordinances as separate municipal jurisdictions.