Can I let my dog off leash in Lexington? What city allows and what carries a hefty fine

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If you’re a dog owner in Lexington, what you might not know is leashing it could make the difference between a pleasant walk around the block and a fine of at least $50 all the way up to $500.

According to Fayette County’s animal control agency, all dogs on public property must wear a leash. Voice commands or even an electronic collar aren’t enough to comply with Lexington’s leash laws. What’s more, even a well-trained and well-behaved dog can have a bad day or respond unpredictably when they’re placed into a threatening situation outside of your control.

Here’s what to know about Lexington’s leash laws, including what the potential penalties are if broken.

What are Lexington’s leash laws?

According to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control , all dogs in Fayette County must be either on a leash, behind a fence or on the dog owner’s property and under supervision at all times when outside. Additionally, an electronic collar does not count as a leash.

Any dog found unattended or unconfined on public or private property can be impounded.

Animal Care and Control cites Fayette County’s “Dog running at large” ordinance , laid out in Section 4-19 of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances.

What’s the penalty for violating Lexington’s leash law?

If dog owners or caregivers violate Lexington’s leash law, they could face a hefty fine. For a first offense, the penalty is a fine of at least $50 and up to $500.

For subsequent offenses, the fine escalates as follows:

• Second offense in 36 months: $100 to $500 fine

• Third offense in 36 months: $250 to $500 fine

• Fourth offense or subsequent offense in 36 months: $500

According to Jai Hamilton, a cruelty investigator at LFACC, all complaints should be placed with animal control’s dispatch at 859-255-9033.

In 2023, animal control officers issued about 150 dog running at large citations, Hamilton told the Herald-Leader in an email. All of those citations didn’t necessarily result in fines for those who received them.

Where can I let my dog run off-leash in Fayette County?

Assuming you don’t have a backyard your dog can run around in, or you just want to mix things up, the next best option is a dedicated dog park with a fenced in area.

Lexington has five dog parks and two small dog lots. Some of Lexington’s dog parks include:

• Jacobson Park - Located at 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Road. The dog park is divided into two paddocks, shady areas, a water hydrant and benches.

• Coldstream Park - Located at 1850 Pisacano Drive. The dog park is divided into two paddocks, including a separate space for small dogs. There’s also a water hydrant and several sitting benches.

• Masterson Station Park - Located at 3051 Leestown Road. It includes into two paddocks for dogs. There are shady spots with mature trees, water and benches.

Do you have a question about the law in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.