Dogs Off Leash Ordinance

With the beginning of September comes the beginning of a new academic year. Fall is a wonderful time to go enjoy the cooler weather with your pets. It is also during this time that Missoula Animal Control sees an influx of dogs on campus, which is not a leash free area. Many students have dogs (how can we blame them!) and we would like to remind everyone of the rules.

If you’re taking your dog for a walk on the University of Montana’s campus, remember that they must be on leash, even when hiking Mount Sentinel to the M. While in class, or for any other reason, dogs cannot be tied up and left unattended anywhere on campus.

As a reminder, all dogs within Missoula County must be licensed. Students who may be attending the University from out of state but who own a dog should know that their dog is considered a Missoula resident and must be licensed within Missoula County.

All licenses can be obtained at the Missoula Animal Control facility, located at 6700 Butler Creek Road, or at the Missoula County Motor Vehicle/Treasurer’s Office within the Courthouse.

Ordinance text is copied below. Please don’t hesitate to let our shelter attendants know if you have any questions!

6.07.600  Dogs at large or off leash. 

A.  It is unlawful for the owner, custodian or keeper of a dog to knowingly, purposely or by neglect allow the dog to be at large or off leash unless:

1.     the dog is located in a vehicle with the permission of the vehicle’s owner. 

2.     the dog is actually participating in dog shows or instructional dog obedience training classes. A dog may be temporarily off of a leash for these purposes as long as the dog’s owner or custodian is personally present and able to effectively control the dog at all times. 

3.     Any dog under actual voice restraint in a Designated Voice Restraint Area, subject to the conditions established in 6.07.618, shall not be deemed off leash or at large.

B.  Tying a dog to an object such as a light pole, parking meter, bicycle rack, tree, or other object, etc. while the dog is on public property, or on private property without the permission of the property owner or occupant and leaving the dog unattended is considered to be a dog at large and is a violation of this section.

C.  An animal control officer may return a licensed dog to the custody of its owner in lieu of impoundment; however all at large dogs are subject to immediate impoundment.

(Ord. 3472, 2011)

6.07.605  Leash length.  An owner, keeper, or custodian of a dog must maintain a dog on a leash with no more than 6 feet of the leash’s length being utilized with the following exceptions:

A.  a retractable leash extending a maximum of sixteen (16) feet is allowed in open areas away from streets, alleys, or sidewalks.  

B.  an obedience trained dog shall be allowed to participate in obedience training, field trials, dog shows or competition.

An owner, keeper or custodian violates this section if the length of the leash violates the provisions specified herein.

(Ord. 3472, 2011)