Check the leash laws for your Florida county to ensure that you are being a responsible pet owner.
The state of Florida is somewhat different in that there are no statewide standard leash laws. However, each county has their own pet-related statutes and many include leash law provisions. Across the board, they are all quite similar. Each of the three largest counties in Florida have these types of laws in place, and the smaller counties tend to model their animal regulations after them.
Palm Beach County
In Palm Beach County, your dog may not be off your private property without being under your direct control. This law provides that your direct control may consist only of voice commands with a well-trained dog. However, if you dog is off a leash or lead and causes damage to another party, even if you believed that the dog was under the command of your voice, you may still be found liable in civil court.
Additionally, your dog may not be restrained on your property within 5 feet of someone else's property without their expression consent. It is a good idea to receive this consent in writing, in case it is later contested.
Cats that have not been spayed or neutered are not allowed to roam off your property in Palm Beach County. When taking these cats off your property, they should be harnessed and leashed or otherwise safely restrained.
Dade County
In Dade County, your dog must be leashed at all times when it is off your private property. The fines for violating this law are steep: You will pay $150 if your roaming dog is not spayed or neutered and $50 if your your dog has been sterilized, plus a $10 filing fee for each penalty.
Your dog may not be tethered or chained for confinement to your property if you are not at home to supervise them.
If you wish to transport your dog in the back of your pickup truck, the dog must be safely crated.
Finally, female dogs in heat must be confined indoors or in an enclosed area outdoors for the duration of their heat cycle.
Hillsborough County
Your dog or cat may not be loose on public property and may not be on another person's private property without their express consent in Hillsborough County. Before allowing your pet onto someone else's property, even with their verbal permission, obtain this consent in writing to prevent it later being contested because of property or personal damages. Dogs confined to your own property may not be tethered to a stake or otherwise confined unsafely.
If you allow a cat to roam on your property, it must be spayed or neutered.
Tags: your property, Beach County, Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, private property