Shasta County Dog Leash Laws
Dogs have several needs in order to stay healthy. We need to feed them, bathe them, medicate them, shelter them and of course give them a daily dose of exercise. In furtherance of these needs, we tend to incorporate our dogs into our daily routines, and that often includes walks, hikes or playtime out in the world.
ANIMAL CONTROL
To help protect your dog, other people, pets, wildlife, and the community, Shasta County Animal Control enforces rules requiring dogs to be properly restrained when off private property, with limited exceptions for designated areas. When dog owners fail to control their animals, it can lead to dogs running at large, injuries, bites, or enforcement actions such as citations or impoundment. For more information about local enforcement and services, visit our Shasta County animal control information page.
In order to keep them safe, we rely on a series of dog leash and running at large laws that apply to the different communities in Shasta County. Below you’ll find a list of incorporated cities and towns in the county. Click on the appropriate one to see the laws that apply to your community, as well as links for more information.
Shasta County Dog Leash Laws
The Shasta County dog leash laws govern all unincorporated areas of the county.
Shasta County Dog Leash Laws Text:
Title 6, Section 6.04.050 – Animal regulations.
A. It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any animal to allow it to stray from the premises where such animal is kept. This subsection does not apply to livestock on the open range, to domestic cats, or to a person engaged in hunting activities during the period and in the manner authorized by law.
B. It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any animal to allow it to enter upon the land of another without the permission of the owner or possessor of such land. This subsection does not apply to livestock on the open range or to domestic cats.
(Ord. No. 2011-02, § 1, 7-19-2011)
A. By ordinance or resolution adopted after a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors may designate areas of the county as dog leash zones. All dog leash zones in existence prior to the enactment of the ordinance codified in this section shall remain in effect.
B. It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of a dog to allow it to be at any place in a dog leash zone unless it is on a leash and under the control of the owner or possessor. This subsection shall not apply to dogs which are on the premises of the owner or possessor or being lawfully transported in a motor vehicle.
C. Each dog leash zone shall be identified by signs placed by the Shasta County Department of Public Works and declaring that within the zone, no dog is allowed to run at large. The failure to post signs shall not be a defense to a violation of this section.
(Ord. No. 2011-02, § 1, 7-19-2011)
Redding Running at Large Law
Redding Running at Large Law Text:
Title 7, Section 7.04.050 – Running at large.
It is declared to be a nuisance and it is unlawful for any person to allow or permit animals, under his or her ownership or control, to run at large except upon private property exclusively under the ownership and/or control of the owner or keeper or within a designated dog exercise area. Violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor and also subject to administrative enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1.13 of this code.
(Ord. 2397 § 2 (part), 2007: Ord. 2354 § 1 (part), 2005)
Anderson Running at Large Law
Anderson Running at Large Law Text:
Title 6, Section 6.28.020 – Running at large—Prohibited.
No person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit or allow the same to be or to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place, or upon any private property or premises other than those of the person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dog, in the city, unless such dog is restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person. Violation of this section shall be an infraction, punishable by a fine of thirty dollars if there have been no previous violation within a twelve-month period. For the second violation within a twelve-month period, the fine shall be seventy-five dollars. For the third and any further violations within a twelve-month period, the fine shall be one hundred fifty dollars.
(Ord. No. 817, § 2, 8-21-2018)
Section 6.28.030 – Running at large—Permitted where.
The provisions of this title do not prohibit permitting or allowing dogs to run at large on the premises of the owner or person having charge, care, custody, or control of such dogs, or prohibit permitting or allowing dogs, other than unspayed female dogs during the copulating season, to run at large on any ranch or undeveloped property when, within a radius of five hundred feet therefrom, there are situated not to exceed five residential or commercial establishment other than the residence of the person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dogs. The provisions of Section 6.28.020 shall not apply to the operations of police officers in the use of official police dogs while on duty.
(Ord. No. 817, § 2, 8-21-2018)
Shasta Lake Dog Leash Law
Shasta Lake Dog Leash Law Text:
Title 6, Section 6.08.070 – Dog leash law.
A. No owner or possessor of any dog shall cause or permit the dog to run at large in any area of the city pursuant to this section. For the purpose of this section, “running at large” means the presence of a dog at any place except upon the premises of the dog’s owner or possessor.
However, a dog shall not be considered to be running at large if it is on a leash.
B. Every dog running at large is a nuisance.
C. Dogs found within a dog park with an owner or possessor while off leash is not considered running at large. Dogs found within a designated dog park are exempt from these provisions.
(Ord. 03-153 § 1 (part))
