Roanoke County, VA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 5-28(a) is an outright, year-round prohibition, not a leash-length or off-hours rule: it is unlawful for the owner of any domestic or feral dog, exotic or poisonous animal or exotic bird or poultry to permit that animal to run at large in the county at any time during any month of the year. The 'run at large' definition in § 5-21 covers roaming, running or self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control, so a dog is at large the moment it leaves the yard unsupervised, leash or no leash.

Section 5-28(b) carves out a narrow exception for a companion animal engaged in lawful hunting in open season or when being trained or exercised and accompanied by, or under the immediate control of, its owner or custodian. A dog caught running at large is picked up by the animal control police officer or another officer and confined at the county shelter under § 5-29(a), which requires a reasonable attempt within forty-eight hours to notify an identifiable owner. 75-per-day board fee under § 5-29(e). An animal is held five days, or ten if identifiable, before the shelter can dispose of it under § 5-29(d).