Wayne County, NC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 10-1 defines "at large" as being off the owner's property and not under restraint, and defines "restraint" as controlled by a chain, leash or similar device, confined inside a vehicle, held within a secure enclosure, or kept inside the owner's dwelling. Section 10-5(a) makes it unlawful for any owner to permit an animal to be at large anywhere in unincorporated Wayne County, and directs the animal control program to confiscate and impound any loose animal at the Wayne County Animal Shelter under the impoundment procedures in Article III.

Section 10-5(b) carves out a narrow exception: an animal that is not dangerous may run loose during a sanctioned show, obedience trial, tracking test, field training or similar supervised event, and hunting dogs may run loose while hunting or training under the owner's control, but that exception never excuses an owner from the separate nuisance rule in Section 10-6 or any other chapter requirement. Once impounded, an owner has 72 hours from the posted or given notice to redeem the animal under Section 10-28 by paying the applicable veterinary and boarding fees, and shelter redemption fees escalate with repeat impoundments: $25 for a first impoundment in a year, $50 for a second, and $75 for a third.

Enforcement is handled by animal control officers empowered under Section 10-3(c) to issue civil citations and criminal summons, and the sheriff's office and police departments assist in picking up loose animals reported by residents.