Local Ordinances for a Safe Summer

Summer holidays and vacations are beginning to fill the calendar, and many dog owners love bringing their pets along for the fun. Backyard barbecues and trips to the park may be some of your dog’s favorite activities, so if you plan on taking Rover out to play – especially off your personal property – it’s important to abide by local ordinances for both their safety and yours. Whether at home, travelling locally, or venturing farther afield, being aware of pet handling laws could potentially save you hundreds of dollars and even jail time.

Indiana does not have state-wide laws for dog handling and ownership. Codes such as leash laws vary between towns, cities, and counties. According to the Kokomo, Indiana Code of Ordinances, it is “unlawful for any owner to allow, suffer, or permit an animal to be at large within the city” (Ord. 6656, passed 4-23-12; Am. Ord. 6769, As Amended, passed 9-8-14). If your dog is found or reported to be roaming freely, you may be faced with a minimum $90.99 fine. This could apply to your dog wandering into a neighbor’s yard or being off leash in a field or on a beach, so be sure your dog has clear boundaries. The exception to this applies during hunting season. Hunting dogs may be off leash on private property or with the real estate owner’s permission on their property.

The minimum $90.99 fine also applies to dogs deemed a “public nuisance” within the city. The law is a bit vague about what constitutes a nuisance but is clear owners who “recklessly or carelessly fail to exercise care and control over the animal” can be fined and/or prosecuted. If the dog is seen as “potentially dangerous,” the Department of Animal Services may impound them. This may lead to a court case to determine whether the dog may be returned to you. If your dog is a habitual barker, digger, or escape artist, have a plan in place for keeping them safe, happy, and occupied so everyone around can enjoy themselves.

If going to the park, dogs must be kept on leashes no more than eight feet long and must be kept under their handler’s control at all times. The only exception to the leash law is when the dog is secured within the confines of the dog park play area. Dogs must not be left unattended. Violation of this ordinance may result in a $96.99 fine (Ord. 4809, passed 2-26-79).

Your dog may be the sweetest, most obedient, friendly dog in town, but being reported as being in violation of a local ordinance can ruin an otherwise fun summer. Before you and your dog head out for days at the lake or Fourth of July celebrations, potentially save yourself stress and check the laws of your destination first.

Kokomo, IN Fines for Dog Violations

Prohibitions ($ 90.02)

Animal at large

$250 first offence

$400 second offence

$500 third offence

Public nuisance

$250 first offence

$400 second offence

$500 third offence

Ownership of vicious dog or wild animal

$500 first offence

$1,000 second offence

$1,500 third offence

Violation of potentially dangerous dog

$350 first offence

$500 second offence

$750 third offence

Tethering ($ 90.03)

Violation of tethering requirements

$250 first offence

$500 second offence

$750 third offence

(Ord. 6656, passed 4-23-12; Am. Ord. 6769, As Amended, passed 9-8-14)