Shelby County, TN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- Shelby County Code Sec. 4-131
- 'At large' defined
- Loose, no leash/restraint (Sec. 4-2)
- Enforcement
- Health Dept. animal control
- Shelter
- Contracted Memphis Animal Shelter
- Max fine
- $50 per violation per day
Summary
In unincorporated Shelby County, Code Sec. 4-131 makes it unlawful to willfully or negligently let a dog be at large on any public or private property. Sec. 4-2 defines 'animal at large' as any dog running loose without a leash or other restraint.
It is unlawful for any owner or keeper of an animal other than a cat to willfully or negligently allow the animal to be at large on any public or private property.
Full Breakdown
The Shelby County Animal Control Ordinance (Chapter 4) governs the unincorporated county. Under Sec. 4-131(a), it is unlawful for any owner or keeper of an animal other than a cat to willfully or negligently allow it to be at large on public or private property. Sec. 4-2 defines 'animal at large' as any dog running loose without a leash or restraint. Enforcement falls to the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department's animal control section (Sec. 4-4), and the county contracts with Memphis for the Memphis Animal Shelter. A dog running at large may be seized and impounded under Sec. 4-132; the owner is mailed notice and has five days to redeem it. State statute T.C.A. 44-8-408 adds a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
A dog at large may be seized and impounded; the owner is mailed notice and has five days to redeem it. Under Sec. 4-135 each day is a separate offense, fined up to $50 per day plus court costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces the leash law in unincorporated Shelby County?
Is a dog off-leash in my own yard 'at large'?
Does Shelby County's leash rule apply to cats?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shelby County
Compare Shelby County to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
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