Sangamon County, IL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Sangamon County Animal Control (a division of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health) enforces the county's animal regulations together with Illinois state law. The county ordinance requires all dogs, cats, and companion animals to be restrained: when off the owner's property, an animal must be on a leash or otherwise under direct physical control. A dog found running at large may be picked up by an Animal Control Warden and impounded at the Sangamon County Animal Control and Adoption Center (2100 Shale St., Springfield); if the dog is not promptly reclaimed (with proof of rabies vaccination, county registration, and payment of impound and boarding fees), it may be adopted out or otherwise disposed of under the Animal Control Act. State law layered on top of the county rule: 510 ILCS 5/2.19 defines a dog 'running at large' as any dog physically off the owner's property and not under the owner's control by leash or other means; 510 ILCS 5/9 prohibits owners from allowing dogs to run at large; 510 ILCS 5/15 makes the owner of a dog that, without provocation, attacks another person or domestic animal liable for civil damages, and 510 ILCS 5/15.1 governs dangerous and vicious dog determinations. All dogs four months of age or older in Sangamon County must be vaccinated against rabies and registered (tagged) under 510 ILCS 5/8 and the county ordinance.