Dog Bite Prevention Laws and Regulations

• The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have strict leash laws that apply to all animals except cats. Animals must be on a leash, contained within a fence or an operable and marked invisible fence.  An animal may be loose in its own yard if there is an adult (18 years or older) present with the animal and the animal responds to direct verbal commands of the person.
• When off of its owner's property a dog is required by law to be restrained at all times.
• Leash law violations vary from $50-$500 fines and the law is strictly enforced.
• A dog over four months old is required by law to have a rabies vaccination. This law also applies to ferrets within the city limits of Charlotte.
• North Carolina state law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets which bite people are to be quarantined for ten days. If the animal has a current rabies vaccination, this quarantine may take place at home at the discretion of Animal Control.

To read the ordinance in its entirety, please go to www.municode.com