South Bend requires every animal to be kept under control off the owner's property, meaning leashed, caged, or under voice control (Sec. 5-103). Owners are liable for an at-large animal even if it escaped by accident.
Municipal Code Sec. 5-103 makes it the owner's duty to keep any animal under control whenever it is off their property. An animal is under control when confined in a vehicle, secured by a leash held by a competent person, under voice control, or properly confined in an enclosure with the property owner's permission. Dogs must be restrained so they cannot chase vehicles or attack people or other animals. An owner whose animal is proven at large violates the ordinance regardless of the precautions taken and regardless of knowledge. Enforcement is by the South Bend Animal Resource Center.
An at-large animal is impounded by the Division of Animal Welfare, and the owner pays boarding fees to reclaim it and receives a citation. Liability applies even when the escape was accidental.
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See how South Bend's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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