Merced County Dog Leash Laws
Dogs need daily exercise, socialization and mental stimulation. Dog owners understand this, and that’s why people bring their dogs with them when they go out into the world as well as walk them every day. It does everyone a lot of good. However, we also need to do what we can to keep everyone safe, and that’s where laws come into play.
Merced County has dog leash and running at large laws that govern the area. If you’d like to see what the law says in your community, click on the appropriate location below, which is a list of the incorporated communities in Merced County. You’ll be taken directly to the text of the dog leash/running at large law that governs as well as to links that provide you with more information.
ANIMAL CONTROL
To ensure the safety of your dog, other people, pets, wildlife, and the community, Merced County Animal Services enforces strict requirements that dogs be kept securely on a leash when off private property (with limited exceptions). 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 more on animal control services and related information, see our Merced County Animal Control page.
Merced County Dog Leash Laws
The Merced County dog leash laws govern the unincorporated areas of the county.
Merced County Dog Leash Law Text:
Title 7, Chapter 7.04, § 7.04.040 Prohibited conduct.
A. No owner or custodian of any animal, wild or domestic, shall permit or suffer the animal to do any of the following:
1. Be at large;
“At large” means an animal off the premises of its owner or custodian and:
A. If livestock, not under the control and in the immediate presence of the owner or custodian; or
B. If a dog or a cat, not under physical restraint.
Atwater Dogs at Large Law
Atwater Dogs at Large Law Text:
Chapter 6.08, Section 6.08.100 – Prohibited conduct.
A. No owner of any animal, wild or domestic, shall permit or suffer the animal to do any of the following:
1. Be at large;
Section 6.08.010 – Definitions.
E. At Large. “At large” means an animal off the premises of its owner and either:
1. Not under the control and in the immediate presence of the owner, or
2. If a dog or a cat, not under physical restraint.
Dos Palos Dogs Running at Large Law
Dos Palos Running at Large Law Text:
Chapter 6.06, Section 6.06.090 Running at large- Impoundment.
No person owning any dog or having the care, custody, control, or possession of any dog shall allow or permit such dog to run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place in the city or upon any private property in the city, other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog, without the consent of the owner of such property. All dogs may be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless tied, staked, fastened, or 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. Any dog found running at large in any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place in the city or upon any private property in the city, other than the property of the owner or custodian or such dog, without the consent of the owner of such property shall be subject to seizure and impounding in the pound.
(Ord. 276 § 5 (part), 1987)
Gustine Restraint Law
Gustine Restraint Law Text:
Article 3, Section Sec. 7-3-124. – Restraint.
An owner or person with custody over, or the right of control of any dog shall keep such dog confined to such person’s own premises within such enclosures as may be reasonably appropriate to restrain the dog from running at large. No dog shall be allowed to walk the public streets without being restrained by means of a leash capable of restraining at least four times the weight of such dog, except:
(1) Assistance dogs while performing their duties;
(2) Dogs participating in field or obedience trials or exhibitions;
(3) Dogs assisting their owner or handler in lawful hunting or herding of livestock;
(4) Dogs assisting a security guard or assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities.
(5) 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 such dogs are under direct control of such individuals to ensure that they do not violate any other provision of law.
(Code 1966, § 6-1.05)
Livingston Running at Large Law
Livingston Running at Large Law Text:
Chapter 3, § 10-3-26 ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE MAY BE IMPOUNDED.
The animal control officer may seize and impound every dog or other animal found running at large or found to be in violation of this chapter. Animals seized will be impounded at the animal shelter.
(Ord. 540, passed 4-18-2006; Ord. 604, passed 4-16-2013)
Los Banos Dog Leash Law
Los Banos Dog Leash Law Text:
Article 4, § 6-1.4002 Animals at large—Restraint—Leash requirements—Private property.
(a) No person owning or otherwise having an animal (excluding cats that have been spayed or neutered) in his or her care, charge, control, custody or possession shall cause, permit, or allow such animal to run, be or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park or other public place in the City. “At-large” shall mean the condition wherein an animal is off the premises of its owner and is not under secure restraint by a substantial leash, chain, halter, rope, or rein, at a length necessary to maintain and keep such animal under effective charge and control. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a service or assistance dog; a dog participating in field or obedience trials; animal exhibitions; or a dog assisting a public safety officer engaged in law enforcement duties.
(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)
Merced Dogs Running at Large Law
Merced Dogs Running at Large Law Text:
Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.040 – Prohibited conduct.
No owner of any animal, wild or domestic, shall permit or suffer the animal to do any of the following:
1. Be at large;
(Ord. 1880 § 1 (part), 1994: Ord. 1322 § 2 (part), 1980: prior code § 5.25).
Section 6.04.010 – Definitions.
E. At large. “At large” means an animal off the premises of its owner and either:
1. Not under the control and in the immediate presence of the owner; or
2. If a dog or a cat, not under physical restraint.
(Ord. 1880 § 1 (part), 1994: Ord. 1322 § 2 (part), 1980: prior code § 5.1).
