Utah Dog Leash Laws

While it is enjoyable to take your dog with you wherever you go, you'll find leash laws to follow wherever you wind up. Leash laws protect both your dog from harm and you from potential legal liabilities. In Utah, your dog must be on a leash when off of your property except in designated off-leash areas.

In Utah there is no statewide requirement that you keep your dog on a leash. Each municipality has authority to make its own law regarding dogs and you would be hard-pressed to find a county or city that does not have one of their own. Leash laws in Utah are uniform in requiring any dog to be on a leash -- or other form of humane restraint -- when they are off of their owner’s property. Dogs must also have current rabies tags and county licenses.

State law holds owners responsible for any damages caused by their dog when it is running at large. You will be liable for any damages or injury your dog causes even if you are unaware your dog escaped from your yard. If your dog joins a pack of other dogs, each dog's owner is equally responsible, even if one dog from the pack causes damage. In addition, your dog can legally be shot and killed if it chases or attacks livestock, hoofed wildlife, poultry, pets or people.

Municipalities such as Salt Lake City maintain off-leash dog parks and even specially designated hiking trails where dogs can run without restraint. These off-leash venues require that your dog is licensed and vaccinated and that you are in voice and sight control of your dog at all times. Rules include cleaning up after your pet, filling in holes and keeping your dog from chasing wildlife or disturbing environmentally sensitive areas. The county's longest dog-friendly hike, Dog Lake, only allows dogs off leash on its 6-mile trail on odd-numbered days of the month.