General
There are 12 leash-free areas in Austin for you to enjoy with your dog. When not in these specified areas, the Austin leash ordinance requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet on all City land. Maximum fine: $500
Scoop the Poop: Dogs for the Environment reminds you to pick up after your pets. It helps keep parks clean and improves water quality in Austin's creeks. There are Mutt Mitt boxes filled with plastic gloves for picking up and disposing of pet waste in many locations throughout the City for your convenience.
City Ordinances
Rules and Definitions
1. Owner: any person owning, feeding, keeping, maintaining or harboring a dog or cat. Harboring shall include knowingly allowing a dog or cat to remain on the owner's premises.
2. Running at Large: not under the direct physical control of the owner or handler by leash, cord, chain or similar direct physical control.
City Ordinance 3-3-2
Every owner of a dog and any person having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall restrain such dog from running at large ('81 Code, 3-3-2).
Employees of the city, as designated by the City Manager, are hereby authorized and empowered to enter upon any land, premises or public place and to take up and impound any dog which is observed by such employee to be running at large.