Colusa County Dog Leash Laws
Dogs are always around, almost no matter where we go and who we are otherwise with. They are part of our society, part of our family and they add to everything we do. However, when we take our dogs out into the world, we need to make sure that they are kept safe both from harm from others and from causing problems.
That’s why we have Colusa County dog leash and running at large laws. Below you’ll find a short list of the two incorporated communities in Colusa County. Click on either of them and you’ll be taken to the text of the dog leash/running at large laws that are in place in those locations.
Colusa County Dog Leash Law
The Colusa County dog leash laws apply to the unincorporated areas of the county.
Colusa County Dog Leash Law Text:
Chapter 3, Section 3-7 Dog leash requirements.
No owner shall permit his dog to be in any area, other than on private property where the dog is maintained by or on behalf of its owner, unless the dog is securely restrained by a leash and the leash is held continuously in the hand of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog. This section shall not apply where the dog is:
(a) Assisting a peace officer in law enforcement duties;
(b) Under the control of a person engaged in hunting pursuant to a license issued under Section 3031 and following of the California Fish and Game Code;
(c) Enrolled and actually participating in a dog training or obedience class, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization with the permission of the owner or operator of the grounds or facility;
(d) Actively herding livestock with the permission of the owner of the livestock being herded;
(e) Physically present in a location subject to federal or state government law enforcement jurisdiction and not on privately owned property therein.
The term “leash,” as referred to in this chapter, means any rope, leather strap, chain or other material not to exceed six feet in length, of such strength and design to be capable of restraining the dog for which it is being used to lead or to restrain, to be held in the hand of a person capable of controlling and actually controlling the animal to which it is attached.
(Ord. No. 742, § 2 (part).)
Colusa Dog Leash Law
Colusa Dog Leash Law Text:
Article V, Sec. 4-16. – Running at large of animals prohibited.
No person owning or having the custody or control or possession of any animal shall permit the animal to run at large within the city. “At large” or “stray” means any animal found outside the premises of its owner or caretaker and either not under the control and in the immediate presence of the owner or caretaker, and if the animal is a dog, not restrained by a leash or under the control and in the immediate presence of the owner or caretaker.
Any animal found running at large shall be deemed a stray animal and, if after a reasonable investigation under the circumstances the animal control officer is unable to locate the owner or person entitled to the possession of the animal to give that person the opportunity to recapture the animal, the animal may be immediately seized and impounded. This section shall not apply to cats.
(Ord. No. 423, § 1, 10-29-2024)
Sec. 4-17. – Leashes required.
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or has the control, custody or possession of any dog to permit such dog in or upon any public street or other public place, or in or upon any property belonging to the city, unless such dog is on a leash no longer than six feet in length and is under the control of the person owning or at the time in possession of such dog.
The restraint requirements provided in this section shall not apply to the following:
(a) A service or assistance dog; a service dog is trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability. This does not include emotional support or comfort dogs;
(b) A dog participating in field or obedience trials;
(c) Animal exhibitions;
(d) A dog assisting in law enforcement duties;
(e) Any area specifically designated as a dog park or off leash exercise area.
(Ord. No. 423, § 1, 10-29-2024)
Williams Animals at Large Law
Williams Animals at Large Law Text:
Title 6, Section 6.12.020 – Animals at large.
A. No person shall allow any animal, except the domestic cat, to run at large.
B. This section does not apply to:
1. Dogs secured within a vehicle or dog carrier;
2. Trained assistance dogs including guide dogs, hearing or signal dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and seizure response;
3. Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;
4. Dogs assisting their owner or handler in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock;
5. Dogs assisting a security guard in the course of the security guard’s duties;
6. Police dogs;
7. Working dogs while engaged in the activities of a program approved by the city administrator;
8. Dogs being trained for any of the purposes set forth in this section on private land with permission of the land owner, so long as the dogs are under direct control of the trainer to assure they do not violate any other provisions of law.
(Ord. 154-07 § 3(part), 2007).
