Taunton, MA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 191-2 of the Taunton Code bars a dog from running at large anywhere in the City other than the owner's own premises unless it carries the written permission of whoever owns the property it is on. Off the owner's property, in someone else's yard, or on any public or quasi-public land such as a sidewalk or park, the dog must be restrained by a leash, chain, rope or cord of no more than six feet, strong enough to control it, or kept next to a person who commands it, or confined inside a chain-link or stockade enclosure sturdy enough to keep the dog in and children out.

Working dogs, including police dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs, watch dogs and dogs trained to lead the blind, may operate off-leash while performing their duties under a trained handler's control. A dog caught running at large is taken up and confined by the Animal Control Officer, who posts a notice describing the dog for 10 days at conspicuous City locations; the owner has 10 days to reclaim it and pay any fines, costs and penalties due, after which the Officer may sell an unclaimed male or spayed female dog for at least $10 under state law.

Presence of the dog at large on someone else's property is treated as prima facie evidence that the property owner's written permission was not given. All fines and complaints under this article are handled through the First Bristol District Court at 40 Broadway, Taunton.