Kanawha County, WV Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash
- Required off-property
- License
- Via county assessor
- Rabies
- WV Code §19-20A-2
- Animal Control
- Kanawha-Charleston Humane
- Bites
- Owner liable
Summary
Kanawha County and its cities require dogs to be leashed or controlled off the owner's property, licensed through the county, and current on rabies shots. West Virginia law (WV Code §19-20A-2) makes rabies vaccination mandatory for every dog and cat.
A person who owns, obtains or possesses a dog or cat within the State of West Virginia shall have the dog or cat properly vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for three years, boostered one year after initial vaccination and every third year thereafter.
Full Breakdown
Dogs in Charleston and across Kanawha County must be leashed or under control when off the owner's property; at-large dogs may be impounded by animal control, run locally through the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association. West Virginia requires every dog to be licensed, and the county assessor assesses the dog head tax, collected with proof of a current rabies shot. State law, WV Code §19-20A-2, requires rabies vaccination for all dogs and cats on a set schedule. Owners are liable for bites and damage. In the wooded hollows, leashing also keeps dogs clear of deer, bear, and other wildlife.
Violations & Fines
A dog at large or unlicensed draws citations and impound plus boarding fees. Letting a dog's rabies vaccination lapse violates state law, and a bite exposes the owner to civil liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to license my dog?
Is rabies vaccination required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kanawha County
Compare Kanawha County to another location·View the West Virginia animal ordinances overview
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