Tennessee Leash Laws

Tennessee 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.

Tennessee leash law at a glance

What Tennessee state law says

• 44-8-413(a)(1) requires owners to keep dogs under reasonable control and not running at large.
• 44-8-408(b) makes it an offense when a dog goes uncontrolled onto another's property or a public place.
• Penalties rise to felonies when a loose dog causes serious bodily injury or death (44-8-408(g)).

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