Spring Hill, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Hernando County's animal-control framework is in Chapter 6 of the County Code of Ordinances, with the operative leash and restraint rule at Section 6-24 ('Restraint'). Spring Hill, being unincorporated, has no separate municipal code - countywide Hernando County rules apply throughout the CDP. Key Sec. 6-24 requirements: (1) OFF-PROPERTY RESTRAINT - the owner, harborer, or person having possession, custody, or control of any dog shall ensure the dog does not stray or run at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk, right-of-way, or other public property, or on the private property of another. The dog may be off the owner's premises only if it is LEASHED and UNDER DIRECT CONTROL of the handler. (2) ON-PROPERTY SUPERVISION - when loose on the owner's own property, the dog must be SUPERVISED (defined as at all times within the unobstructed SIGHT of the owner and responsive to signals or commands that will prevent the dog from running at large) OR physically restrained by fencing or other means. Voice control alone without unobstructed sight is not compliant. (3) IMPOUNDMENT AUTHORITY - Hernando County Animal Services officers are authorized to IMPOUND any animal witnessed at large, and may enter onto private property (including the owner's property) without permission, except into a structure, dwelling, or fenced and gated yard, in active pursuit of an animal for impoundment. (4) FLORIDA STATE LAW OVERLAY - FS 828.30 requires every owner of a dog, cat, or ferret 4 months and older to have the animal vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian and to display the current rabies tag on the animal's collar (second-degree misdemeanor for failure). FS 767.04 makes the owner of any dog that bites a person strictly liable for damages regardless of the dog's prior history or the owner's knowledge of viciousness (Florida is one of the few states with a strict-liability dog-bite statute). (5) ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY - the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Division at 19450 Oliver Street, Brooksville (352-796-5062) is the animal-control field unit and the impound shelter. Hernando County Code Enforcement (789 Providence Blvd, Brooksville; 352-754-4056) handles related zoning and nuisance violations. (6) WASTE PICKUP - while not codified at Sec. 6-24, county nuisance and lot-maintenance provisions and many Spring Hill subdivision deed restrictions require owners to clean up after their dogs on public and private property. (7) BITE QUARANTINE - handled under Florida Administrative Code 64D-3.040, requiring 10 days of observation by a licensed veterinarian or at HCSO Animal Services' Brooksville facility. (8) PET LICENSING - Hernando County requires annual pet licensing for dogs and cats, with proof of current rabies vaccination - licensing is handled through HCSO Animal Services with online renewal at petdata.com.