The basic leash laws and dog control laws throughout most major US cities and states have been designed to limit the number of stray and out of control dogs within specific regions. In addition the laws have been developed to help to limit or eliminate dog bite problems and dogs running in packs and becoming aggressive or problematic. In reality how effective these laws actually are remains to be seen over the long run. In many areas there are limited financial resources allocated to dog leash law and control, with dog owners largely left on their own honor to follow the laws.
In reality most dog owners are very responsible and only allow their dogs off-leash in designated areas. In addition responsible dog owners socialize and train their dogs to be good canine citizens before allowing them off leash or even out of the yard. A few irresponsible and negligent dog owners always seem to ruin it for the rest, resulting in more laws on the books and greater restrictions for certain breeds.
The basic dog leash laws and ownership laws in the United States are consistent from state to state and area to area. Dogs are to be vaccinated for at least rabies but ideally for other health conditions and be registered where required. In most areas it is highly recommended that all dogs be spayed or neutered unless being used in a breeding program, however this is still the option of the owner. Dogs in most urban areas are required to be on a leash at all times unless in a designated dog park or off-leash area. In rural areas the rules are much less rigid with owners responsible for managing their dogs and restricting the dogs to their own property. Dogs in rural areas are often not subject to specific leash laws but complaints against individual dogs are dealt with on an individual basis.
One of the major laws that many cities and urban areas have tried to enforce is setting a specific number of dogs per residence. Typically this is one or two dogs per household, with no options based on size, noise level or any other factors. Dog owners, especially small breeders and kennel managers within city limits have been able to successfully overturn many of these number restriction laws, however in some areas and managed home owner cooperatives there are specific local rules that govern pet ownership. Perhaps the safest option for people considering moving into a managed community or a home owner cooperative is to ensure that you fully understand and can follow any pet ownership requirements before buying the property or signing onto a lease.
Leash laws in public places in most areas of the United States also require dog owners to clean up after their dog if they mess in a public area. Not only is this just good manners and being a good citizen, but it also helps to prevent the spread of disease. Worms, bacteria and viruses can all be spread through contact with fecal material, some which can even be transmitted to humans. Children are especially at risk for this type of contamination since they are more likely to play in the dirt and walk barefoot. Kids are also much less likely to wash their hands after playing with a dog or in the dirt, further risking the chance of infection or contamination.
In some areas animal control officers or police officers can write tickets for owners that are not cleaning up after their dogs. Although these fines aren't typically large they will become progressively higher if the owner is caught multiple times.
Full breed bans are in place in many cities and municipalities in the United States. This still doesn't prevent owners of other breeds of dogs from having potentially vicious animals; it simply attempts to remove breeds that have a history of aggression towards other animals or humans. Typically these include the Pit Bull type dogs, which may easily include breeds that bear even a passing resemblance to a Pit Bull. Many dog owners are devastated to find that they cannot keep their Boxer or Mastiff in the city limits because someone has complained that they have a Pit Bull. Unfortunately owners rarely win this argument in court unless they have some paperwork or registration that clearly identifies the pure or mixed breed as having no Pit Bull or other restricted breed in their lineage.
The newest and perhaps most controversial laws being proposed in some of the major metropolitan areas of the United States include requiring all dog owners to carry liability insurance on their pets. Some lawmakers have proposed that dogs over 30 pounds should be insured in the event that they bite or attack someone or some other animal. This would cover both any medical or legal expenses for the victim plus it would require the owner to provide proof of insurance in order to have the dog vaccinated or registered. People opposed to this proposed law indicate that it will do little to actually impact on irresponsible dog owners and may actually prevent dog owners from vaccinating and registering dogs since they can't afford the insurance.
Some household and renters insurance policies already include injuries caused by pets, which many homeowners and renters may not realize that they have. But regardless of what restrictions are put into place there will still be people that don't follow the rules and don't license, insure and vaccinate their pets. These are the same owners that don't maintain their fences and let their dogs run all over the neighborhood to terrorize other pets, kids and people.
Responsible dog owners have to work constantly to follow the laws with regards to managing and leashing their dogs. By responsible dog owners following public policy and monitoring infractions it sends a message to irresponsible dog owners that their behavior will not be accepted. Hopefully with this community pressure these people will change their behavior and manage and control their dogs for the good of all.
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