Phoenix Leash Law

Phoenix City Code 8-14 – Dogs at Large

In late 2007, the Phoenix City Council passed revisions to Phoenix City Code 8-14, the city’s ordinance on dogs at large. The ordinance still requires most owners or custodians to keep dogs on a leash at all times when they are not confined to the owner’s property. The revisions do allow some dog sport enthusiasts with exceptionally trained dogs and peace officers from law enforcement agencies to use parks for legitimate training purposes.

Because city parks are a popular destination for owners and their dogs, we’ve summarized below some of the ordinance revisions. This summary is NOT a full description of the ordinance. Dog owners/custodians who think they might be eligible for a training exemption under the new ordinance should view the full ordinance or call 602-495-5458 for more information.

Dogs must be on leash at all times except when:

1. The dog is a working animal that is used by or at the direction of a law enforcement agency.
2. The dog is being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event or official city event.
3. The dog is in an approved off-leash activity area (dog park).
4. The owner or custodian is educating and instructing a dog for any nationally recognized dog sport while meeting ALL of the following conditions:
1. The owner/custodian has a leash in their possession.
2. The owner/custodian has no other dogs off leash.
3. The owner/custodian has the dog within sight and voice range and actively uses sufficient auditory or visual commands to ensure the dog is not harassing or disturbing people or other animals and not displaying aggression.
4. The dog owner/custodian must be able to demonstrate upon request of an enforcement officer that the dog will promptly return by a direct route upon voice command. The dog must also stay by the owner/custodian after returning.
5. The owner/custodian must have in their possession a “Dog Sport Performance Title Certificate” from a nationally recognized dog sport organization or “Canine Good Citizen” program certificate from the American Kennel Club or the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry.

Penalties
An owner or custodian of a licensed dog in violation of this ordinance is subject to a civil sanction punishable by a fine of not more than $250. An owner or custodian of an unlicensed dog in violation of this ordinance is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which are punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.