Madera County Dog Leash Laws

When we take our dogs out in public, we need to do so safely. Properly restraining our dogs on leashes and preventing them from running at large not only protects our dogs, but also other animals and people that they are likely to encounter. Every county and incorporated municipality has some type of leash and/or running at large law that owners need to understand.

ANIMAL CONTROL

To ensure the safety of your dog, other people, pets, wildlife, and the community, Madera County Animal Services enforces strict requirements that dogs be kept securely on a leash when off private property (with limited exceptions for designated areas). When owners fail to restrain their dogs properly, it can result in at-large incidents, potential injuries, bites, or enforcement actions like citations and impoundment. For a list of animal control locations, see our Madera County animal control information page.

Below are the two incorporated communities in Madera County. To see the text of the dog leash or running at large law, click on the appropriate location. You’ll be taken to the text of these laws and to links that provide more information.

Madera County Dog Leash Laws

The Madera County dog leash laws govern the unincorporated areas of the county.

Madera County Running at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.580 – Running at large.

No person owning any animal or having the care, custody, control or possession of any animal shall offer, allow or permit such animal to run, be or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place, or upon any private property without permission of the owner of said property. All dogs may be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless tied, restrained by chain, strap or cord attached to their collars, actually held by some person, or tied or restrained in an automobile or other vehicle, or unless such dog is staked or fastened or restrained within a fenced area. Any animal found running at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place, or upon any private property without permission of the owner of said property within Madera County dog zone, shall be subject to seizure and impoundment at the animal control center.

(Ord. 479 § 2(part), 1984).

Madera Dog Leash Law

Madera Dog Leash Law Text:

Title V, Chapter 1, § 5-1.28 DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE; LEASH REQUIREMENTS.

No person owning any dog or having the care, custody, control, or possession of any dog shall offer, allow, or permit such dog to run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place, or upon any private unenclosed property within the city, and all dogs may be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless tied, restrained by chain, strap, or cord attached to their collars and actually held by some person, or tied or restrained in an automobile or other vehicle, or unless such dog is staked or fastened.

Any dog found running at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place, or upon any private unenclosed property within the city, shall be subject to seizure and impoundment. In accordance with § 1-2.01 of the Madera Municipal Code, any second or subsequent violation of this section within a period of 18 months of a prior conviction of this offense shall be a misdemeanor.

(’61 Code, § 5-1.28) (Ord. 125 C.S., passed 7-3-68; Am. Ord. 686 C.S., passed 7-15-98)

Chowchilla Dogs at Large Law

Chowchilla Dogs at Large Law Text:

Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.070 – Dogs at large.

A. No person shall permit or suffer a dog to stray from private property owned or legally possessed by the dog owner or the person who has a right to control the dog unless the dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight feet in length, except in the following situations:

1. When the dog is assisting a peace officer who is engaged in law enforcement duties or when the dog is participating in a search and rescue effort at the specific request of a law enforcement authority;

2. When the dog is enrolled in and at that time participating in a dog training or obedience course, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization on private or public property with the permission of the owner or operator of the grounds or facilities;

3. When the dog is assisting the owner or person in charge of livestock in the herding or control of such livestock.

B. Dog at Large Causing Injury. Any owner of any dog which is running at large as described in this section that causes injury through indirect or direct action is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 507-22, § 1(Exh. A), 2-22-2022)