ARIZONA DOG LEASH LAW 

Title 11. Counties. 
Chapter 7. Intergovernmental Operations. 
Article 6. Animal Control. § 11-1012. 
Dogs not permitted at large; wearing licenses. 
Citation: AZ ST § 11-1012; 
Citation: A. R. S. § 11-1012

 
Summary: This Arizona laws provides generally that no female dog 
in her breeding season or vicious dog may be allowed to go at large. 
It further delineates the state's leash requirements for dogs, 
including during times of rabies quarantines, in state parks, and at public schools. 
Exceptions under the law include the training of livestock dogs and hunting dogs, among others. 

 
Statute in Full:

A. Neither a female dog during her breeding or mating season 
   nor a vicious dog shall be permitted at large. 

B. In a rabies quarantine area, no dogs shall be permitted at large. 
   Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, 
   secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, 
   or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under 
   the owner's control when not on the owner's property.

C. Any dog over the age of three months running at large 
   shall wear a collar or harness to which is attached a valid license tag. 
   Dogs that are used for control of livestock, being used or trained 
   for hunting or dogs, being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event 
   or engaged in races approved by the Arizona racing commission, 
   and while the dogs are being transported to and from such events, 
   need not wear a collar or harness with a valid license attached 
   provided that they are properly vaccinated, licensed and controlled.

D. No person in charge of any dog shall permit such dog in a public park
   or upon any public school property unless the dog is physically 
   restrained by a leash, enclosed in a car, cage or similar enclosure 
   or being exhibited or trained at a recognized kennel club event, 
   public school or park sponsored event. 


City of phoenix dog leash ordinance 

Sec. 8-14. Dogs not permitted at large; wearing licenses; penalties. 

A. No dog shall be permitted at large. 
   Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's 
   or custodian's property, secured so that the dog is confined entirely 
   to the owner's or custodian's property, or on a leash not to exceed 
   six feet in length and directly under the owner's or custodian's 
   control when not on the owner's or custodian's property.   
   The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a park, 
   or an area within a park, that is designated by the 
   Parks and Recreation Board as open to dogs at large. 

B. Any dog over the age of three months which is off the owner's 
   or custodian's property shall wear a collar or harness to 
   which is attached a valid license tag. 
   Dogs that are used for control of livestock, being used or 
   trained for hunting or dogs, being exhibited or trained at a kennel 
   club event or engaged in races approved by the Arizona Racing Commission, 
   and while the dogs are being transported to and from such events, 
   need not wear a collar or harness with a valid license attached 
   provided that they are properly vaccinated, licensed and controlled. 

C. Any owner, custodian, or other person acting for the owner allowing 
   his or her dog to be at large is in violation of this section. 

D. A dog is not at large if: 

   1. The dog is restrained by a leash, chain, rope or cord of not 
      more than six feet in length and of sufficient strength to control the dog. 

   2. The dog is being used for control of livestock or being used or 
      trained for hunting or being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event   
      or is engaged in races approved by the Arizona Racing Commission. 

   3. The dog, whether on or off the premises of the owner, or  
      person acting for the owner, is controlled as provided in 
      subsection F, paragraph 1 of this section, or is within a 
      suitable enclosure which actually confines the dog. 

E. When any dog is found at large, the enforcement officer 
   may take the following actions: 

   1. The dog may be apprehended and impounded. The enforcement agent 
      shall have the right to enter upon private property when necessary 
      to apprehend any dog that has been running at large. Such entrance 
      upon private property shall be in reasonable pursuit of such dog, 
      and shall not include entry into a domicile or enclosure which 
      confines a dog except at the invitation of the occupant or owner. 

   2. In addition to impoundment, the enforcement agent may issue a citation(s) 
      to the dog owner or person acting for the owner when the dog is at large. 
      The procedure for the issuance of criminal complaints shall be as provided 
      for peace officers in A.R.S. § 13-3903, except the enforcement agent 
      shall not make an arrest before issuing the notice. 
      The issuance of civil complaints shall be as provided in Local Rule 2, 
      Local Rules of Practice, Phoenix Municipal Court. The issuance of misdemeanor 
      citation(s) pursuant to this ordinance shall be subject to provisions of 
      A.R.S. § 13-3899. In lieu of issuing a citation a report may 
      be submitted to the County Attorney or City Prosecutor. 

   3. In the judgment of the enforcement agent and field supervisor, 
      any dog at large or other animal that is dangerous, vicious, 
      or fierce and a threat to human safety that cannot be safely impounded 
      may be immediately slain. All animal control officers who may be called 
      upon to slay a vicious animal as described above will receive periodic 
      training in the firearm used for this purpose in a manner mutually agreed 
      upon by the City and the enforcement agent. All vicious animals slain will 
      be diagnosed for rabies prior to disposal. Public records will be maintained 
      by the enforcement agent for each vicious animal slaying incident, 
      including the result of the rabies diagnosis performed on the animal. 

   4. Any dog impounded under this section may be kept impounded until 
      there is a final disposition of any criminal complaint or payment in full 
      of all civil sanctions imposed arising from the alleged violation 
      of this section, provided that the criminal or civil complaint is filed 
      within thirty days of the alleged violation. 

F. Penalties. 

   1. Any dog owner, custodian, or other person acting for the owner or custodian 
      who fails to comply with subsection A or B of this section is guilty 
      of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

   2. Any dog owner, custodian, or other person acting for the owner or custodian 
      who fails to comply with subsection C but who is otherwise in compliance 
      with subsections A and B is responsible for a civil violation subject to a 
      civil sanction not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars. 

   3. A second misdemeanor violation of this section within twenty-four months 
      shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars. 

   4. A third or subsequent misdemeanor violation of this section within 
      twenty-four months shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars. 

   5. Any misdemeanor violation of this section when the dog has previously 
      been determined to be vicious pursuant to Section 8-16.01 shall be punishable 
      by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars and imprisonment for a term
      of not less than five days. 
 
   6. In no case shall a person convicted of a misdemeanor violation of 
      this section be eligible for suspension or commutation of sentence 
      unless such person is placed on probation with the condition that 
      the minimum fine be paid and term of imprisonment be served. 

(Ord. No. G-1872, § 3; Ord. No. G-1909, § 3; Ord. No. G-2932, § 2; Ord. No. G-3224, § 2; Ord. No. G-3832, § 2; Ord. No. G-4578, § 3, passed 2-11-2004, eff. 2-11-2004) 

State law references: Dogs at large, A.R.S. § 11-1012; penalty for ordinance violations, A.R.S. §§ 9-499.01, 9-240(B)(28).