Shelby, NC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

No dog shall be kept, maintained or allowed off the premises owned or controlled by its owner or keeper unless it is then controlled by a tether, leash or similar device.(b)In addition to all other penalties prescribed by law, a dog is subject to impoundment and all other applicable provisions of the Cleveland County Animal Control Ordinance, if the dog is found off the premises of its owner or keeper and unrestrained as provided for in subsection (a) above.(c)The penalties for violation of this section shall be as follows:(1)First violation .....$50.00(2)Second violation .....$75.00(3)Third and subsequent violations .....$100.00(d)The Cleveland County Animal Control Department is authorized to collect, at the time of redemption, an appropriate penalty if the animal was impounded due to a violation of the section.(e)For the purpose of determining how many offenses have been committed, and for determining the appropriate penalty, each offense shall remain on the record of the Cleveland County Animal Control Department for a period of two years. Subsequent to the expiration of two years, an offense shall be removed from the record and no longer used for purposes of calculation of penalties. (Ord. No. 14-2009, §§ 1, 2, 4-20-2009)