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FACT BRIEF

Are Arlington pet owners required to leash their dogs?

By Haley Samsel
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YES

Pet owners must prevent their animals from being “at large,” according to Arlington animal ordinances. 

The city defines at large as any animal that is not continually restrained by a leash or chain of “proper strength and length” that prevents the animal from making any unsolicited contact with a person, property or premises. Dogs are not considered at large if they are unrestrained at an off-leash dog park. 

At-large animals, including unleashed animals and animals that are not fenced in on their owner’s premises, are considered public nuisances and owners may face fines if they are found in violation of the ordinance. Residents can report code violations 24 hours a day by calling 817-459-6777 or submitting an online form.

Arlington isn’t the only Tarrant County city with a leash ordinance. Fort Worth requires dogs to be leashed and accompanied by owners when being walked off the owner’s property. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
City of Arlington Ordinances Governing Animals
City of Arlington Ordinances Governing Nuisances
City of Arlington Animal Services Fee Schedule
City of Arlington Action Center Form
City of Fort Worth Animal Control Laws
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Fort Worth Report
The Fort Worth Report is a 501(c)(3) organization that launched April 12, 2021. This new media outlet is built on a foundation of local leadership and local investment. It provides community-sourced journalism that exclusively supports and reports on the Fort Worth community with fact-based, thoughtful and contextual coverage without bias or predetermined agendas. The enterprise is governed by a mission statement, bylaws, and an organizational structure that ensures it remains faithful to these foundational principles.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.