Union County, NC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Definition of "at large"
- Off owner's property, not restrained (§6-8)
- Restraint options
- Owner's property, leash/lead, or secure enclosure (§6-8)
- Mandatory restraint age
- Dogs/cats 4 months or younger (§6-100(b))
- Seizure trigger
- Dog menacing a person off property (§6-133(a)(8))
- Penalty
- Class 3 misdemeanor, fine up to $200
- Redemption window
- 72 hours after impoundment (§6-135)
Summary
Union County's animal ordinance defines when a dog is "at large" and requires restraint in specific situations: puppies and kittens four months or younger, female dogs in heat, and any dog that approaches a person off its owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner, under Sec. 6-8 and Sec. 6-100(b).
At large. An animal shall be deemed to be at large when it is off the real property of its owner or keeper and not under physical restraint. ... Restraint. Any animal shall be considered under restraint if it is within the real property limits of its owner, or secured by an adequate leash or lead, or confined within a secure enclosure.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 6-8 defines "at large" as an animal off its owner's or keeper's real property and not under physical restraint, and defines "restraint" as being on the owner's property, secured by an adequate leash or lead, or confined in a secure enclosure. The chapter's mandatory restraint duties are triggered by circumstance rather than a blanket leash requirement: Sec. 6-100(b) requires any dog or cat four months of age or younger to be kept in a secure enclosure or under restraint at all times; Sec. 6-73 makes it unlawful to let a female dog or cat remain unconfined during her heat cycle where she can contact other animals.
Enforcement reaches further off-property behavior through Sec. 6-133(a)(8), which authorizes animal control officers to seize any dog that "approaches a person when not on the owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack," excusing law enforcement K-9s. Sec. 6-100(d)(1) separately lets officers impound any dog found off its owner's property without the required rabies vaccination tag. The Union County Sheriff's animal control officers (Sec. 6-5) enforce these provisions, and impounded animals can be redeemed within 72 hours under Sec. 6-135 upon payment of redemption and boarding fees.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of these restraint duties is a Class 3 misdemeanor under Sec. 6-183(a), punishable by a fine of up to $200.00 and/or up to 20 days in custody, with each continuing day treated as a separate offense. The county can also pursue an injunction or abatement order under Sec. 6-184 and G.S. 153A-123. Seized animals are held under Sec. 6-133 and may be redeemed within 72 hours per Sec. 6-135, plus applicable boarding and redemption fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Union County require every dog to be on a leash in public?
What can happen to my dog if it gets loose and approaches someone aggressively?
What's the fine for violating the animal control chapter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union County
Compare Union County to another location·View the North Carolina animal ordinances overview
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