The City of Whittier adopts Los Angeles County Code Title 10 as its Animal Control Ordinance (Whittier Municipal Code Ch. 6.04). A dog must be on a substantial leash no longer than six feet, handled by a person able to control it, while on public property or the common areas of private property.
Whittier does not write its own leash rule. By Whittier Municipal Code Section 6.04.020, the city adopts LA County Code of Ordinances Title 10 ("Animals") by reference as its Animal Control Ordinance, with the city substituted for the county throughout. The operative leash provision is LA County Code Chapter 10.32 (Animals Running at Large): "A dog must be restrained on a substantial leash not exceeding six feet in length by a person capable of controlling the dog, while on public property or common areas of private property." An owner may let a dog be unrestrained on private property with the owner's or lessor's consent. The same chapter makes it unlawful for an owner of a wild animal or livestock to let that animal run at large on public property or enter another's private property without written consent. Animal services and licensing for Whittier are provided through Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control (shelter in Downey), not SEAACA. Per Whittier Municipal Code Section 6.04.050, dogs over four months old must be licensed. Note that unincorporated communities labeled "Whittier" (South, West, East Whittier) fall directly under LA County, not the city.
Letting a dog off-leash on public property or unleashed at large can bring an animal control citation. LA County Code makes allowing wild animals or livestock to run at large a misdemeanor. Repeat off-leash or at-large incidents can escalate, and an unprovoked dog that bites or injures may trigger a potentially dangerous or vicious dog proceeding under LA County Chapter 10.37.
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