A Friendly Reminder About The Leash Law In Vanderburgh County

If you follow conversations on the Next Door app or website, you might've come across a heated thread about dogs running free in certain neighborhoods. Several neighbors are upset because one person lets their two dogs run free almost everyday, doing their business in yards. One neighbor has spoken with them on more than one occasion, but it's still an issue. So, he decided to bring this to the attention of other people through Next Door. I won't detail the conversation, but it certainly escalated quickly! The dog owner has basically blamed the situation on her escape artist dogs. But, when it comes to the law, it doesn't matter how they are getting loose. I've highlighted some of the law codes from the Animal Control portion of the Vanderburgh County leash law.

(F) An animal shall be leashed when it is off the owner’s property. One end of the leash shall be
attached to the collar or harness and the other end attached to the person accompanying the animal.
This provision shall not apply to an animal that is otherwise physically restrained at any facility. [1983
Code § 9.90.06.]

“Animal nuisance” means an animal which:
(1) Interferes with or molests passersby or passing vehicles;
(2) Attacks other animals or persons;
(3) Is at large;
(4) Damages private or public property;
(5) Causes frequent, long, continued, loud noises or other sounds common to its species which
disturb the comfort or repose of any person in the immediate neighborhood of any residential
area, not to include operations of boarding kennels, kennels, training facilities or the practice of
animal husbandry;
(6) Is in heat which is not confined or restrained so as to prevent attraction or contact with other
animals;
(7) Damages, soils, defiles, or defecates on any public right-of-way;
(8) Trespasses on, soils, defiles, defecates on or damages private or public property, including,
but not limited to, the leaving of waste material.

“At large” means any animal that is:
(1) Not on a leash and is off the property of its owner, its owner’s agent, or its keeper;
(2) On a leash that does not adequately confine the animal to the property of its owner, its
owner’s agent, or its keeper; or
(3) On a leash that is not otherwise under the immediate control of a person physically capable of
restraining the animal.

If you'd like to read the entire law, click Here
You can contact Animal Control if you have any issues (812) 435-6015 Animal Care & Control Shelter