Maine Leash Laws

Maine is one of the few states with a statewide rule that keeps dogs from running at large, and cities and counties can add stricter leash rules on top of it.

Maine leash law at a glance

What Maine state law says

• 7 M.R.S. 3911 prohibits dogs being at large, except when used for hunting.
• "At large" is defined in 3907(6) as off the owner's premises and not under the control of a person whose presence would reasonably control the dog.
• Stray dogs may be impounded (3912, 3913).

Local leash ordinances

City and county codes do most of the work here. They typically say when a dog must be leashed, how long the leash can be, which parks allow off-leash dogs, and what fines apply when a dog is found running loose.

Staying on the right side of the law

• Keep your dog leashed in public unless you are in a posted off-leash area.
• Make sure your dog wears a current license and rabies tag, since a loose dog without tags is the one most likely to be impounded.
• If your dog has been declared dangerous, stricter leash, muzzle and enclosure rules apply; see the dangerous dog section of Maine dog bite laws.
• A dog that runs loose and injures someone can create liability for the owner, so a leash is also your best protection.
• Leash training makes compliance easy; a local dog trainer can help with pulling and recall.

Sources

1. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: Maine dog laws
2. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: State dog leash laws