Warwick, RI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

City Code Sec. " That means a leash or direct physical control satisfies the law only when the dog is off its owner's own land; being under a competent handler's control, not merely a leash, is the legal standard the code sets. A dog picked up running loose is handled under Article II: Sec. 4-42 directs the animal control officer to take up any dog found running at large and impound it at the city pound, and Sec. 4-45 sets a minimum seven-day holding period before disposition.

Sec. 4-43 lets the officer issue a citation in lieu of impounding when the owner is known, sending the case to municipal court instead of the pound. Owners get notice under Sec. 4-44, and redemption requires paying the impoundment fee set by the board of public safety under Sec. 4-46, on top of any fine. Dogs are separately barred from all city schoolyards and school property, city athletic fields, and Oakland Beach Common regardless of restraint status, with a Seeing Eye dog exception, under Sec. 4-9(a); and from stores and eating places under Sec. 4-10, except trained service animals. Sec. 00 fine payable to the municipal court.