Prescott Valley, AZ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 6-01-110(A) puts the duty on the owner: no owner of a dog can allow the dog to be at-large. Section 6-01-010(E) defines at large as being neither confined by an enclosure nor physically restrained by a leash, and says electronic collars, leashes or similar electronic devices do not qualify as physical restraint. Section 6-01-010(N) defines a leash as a chain, rope, strap, cord or similar restraint attached to a collar or harness or otherwise secured around the animal's neck, again excluding electronic leashes.

Off the owner's premises, a dog is not at-large while restrained by a leash, rope, cord or chain of not more than six feet in length. Subsection B lists seven situations in which a dog is not deemed at-large: active dog obedience training under the control of the owner or trainer, where the dog is enrolled in or has graduated from an obedience training school; training or use for hunting or training for racing; exhibition or training at a kennel club event; the six-foot restraint; work as a service animal under the handler's control; use for the control of livestock; and being lawfully within the fenced area of the Town's off-leash area parks. A service animal must wear a harness, leash or other tether unless the handler's disability or interference with the animal's work prevents it, and then it must be under voice control, signals or other effective means.

The Animal Control Officer apprehends and impounds any dog running at-large. An owner reclaiming the dog pays the impound fees in the Comprehensive Fee Schedule plus applicable boarding fees. Under Section 6-01-130, a stray is held at the Town-authorized pound for a minimum of seventy-two hours, or one hundred twenty hours if it was impounded with a microchip or wearing a license or other discernible owner identification. The owner or person entrusted with the dog is also responsible for any personal injury or property damage the dog causes while at-large. Section 6-01-080 requires the license tag to be worn on a collar at all times.