Wicomico County, MD Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- Unleashed off owner's property
- On-property exception
- Not at large on owner's own land
- Tether length rule
- At least 3x animal's nose-to-tail length
- Tether weight limit
- No more than 1/8 animal's body weight
- Barred collars
- Chains, ropes, choke collars
- Park/school leash limit
- 6 feet, or confined in vehicle
Summary
In unincorporated Wicomico County, § 133-14 makes it unlawful to let any animal run at large, meaning unleashed on someone else's property or in the traveled portion of a public road. Section 133-13 separately regulates tethering, banning restraints that injure the animal, are too short, lack a swivel, or use a choke collar.
§ 133-13. Tethering. ... B. Prohibited conduct. It is unlawful to tether an animal under circumstances that endanger its health, safety, or well-being, including: ... (4) Using a tether or similar restraint that is less than three times the length of the animal, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail; ... § 133-14. Animals at large prohibited. A. It is unlawful to allow an animal to run at large. B. Definition of "at large." "At large" means when an unleashed animal is: (1) On the property of a person other than the owner; or (2) Within the traveled portion of a public road.
Full Breakdown
Wicomico County's leash law is stated broadly in § 133-14: it is unlawful to allow any animal, not just a dog, to run at large in unincorporated Wicomico County. 'At large' is defined as an unleashed animal that is on someone else's property or within the traveled portion of a public road. The chapter carves out real exceptions, though: an animal is not at large if it is under the control of a responsible person, securely confined in a vehicle, on the owner's own real property, or hunting, herding or tracking under the owner's control on land the owner is permitted to use.
Section 133-13 covers the separate but related issue of tethering a dog outside. It bans tethers that injure the animal, unreasonably limit its movement, or restrict access to water or shelter; a tether or restraint heavier than one-eighth of the animal's body weight; a restraint without a swivel on each end; a tether shorter than three times the animal's length from nose to tail; restraint in a tangling-prone setup; and restraint in unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Chains, ropes and choke collars are barred outright as tethering collars, and any tethering collar must leave at least a one-inch gap around the dog's neck.
On school grounds and in public recreation areas, § 133-15 adds its own leash requirement: an animal must be on a leash no longer than six feet or confined in a vehicle, subject to waiver by the agency managing the property.
Violations & Fines
An animal found running at large, unleashed off its owner's property, can be impounded by an Animal Control Officer under § 133-16, with at least a six-business-day waiting period before disposition if it wears a rabies tag or has an identifying microchip. A tethering violation under § 133-13 or an at-large violation under § 133-14 can also draw a citation from the Animal Control Authority; the county's general nuisance and violations provisions apply to repeated offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash on my own property in unincorporated Wicomico County?
What tether can I legally use to keep my dog outside?
How long can my dog's leash be at a county park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wicomico County
Compare Wicomico County to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
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