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Shawnee County Animal Ordinances

This is an overview of the laws regarding animals in Shawnee County, referred to as “Home Rules.”

County Leash Laws

For Dogs roaming at large within the boundaries of a platted subdivision:

The County allows subdivisions to petition a hearing to determine the need for increased dog control in a subdivision, located in an unincorporated area of the county. Sixty percent of the residents in the subdivision must sign the petition. A hearing is scheduled and residents may testify for increased dog control rules. The County Commission may enact a “Leash Law” for that subdivision.

Dogs found “roaming at large” in areas where a Leash Law is in effect can be impounded by Animal Control officers and taken to Helping Hands Humane Society.

It is also against the law to keep or harbor any dog, which frequently disturbs the peace by long, continued barking, howling or other noise.

All applicable fines/fees must be paid before the animal may be returned to its owner. Fines for violating these Home Rules may not exceed $250.

Dangerous Animals

The County defines a dangerous animal as:

An animal that displays violent or aggressive behavior.
An animal that endangers the safety of persons, livestock or domesticated animals.
An animal that causes injury to any person, livestock or domestic animal.
An animal that attacks or attempts to attack any person, livestock or domestic animal.

Fines range from $100 - $2,000 for violations of Dangerous Animal Home Rule.

Fighting Animals

It is against the law for any person to sell, offer for sale, buy, attempt to buy, breed or possess any animal for fighting other animals for sport.

It is against the law to train, torment, abuse, tease, badger or otherwise provoke an animal for the purpose of encouraging an animal to attack any person, livestock or domestic animal.

Fines for violating the Fighting Animals Home Rule are a Class B misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $2,000. The animal will be seized and destroyed.

Exotic Animals

In 1993, The County enacted an Exotic Animal Home Rule, making it unlawful to own, keep, harbor or possess any animal, which is not domesticated. County residents, who already possessed exotic animals, had to obtain a $25 license per animal to keep them and follow specific rules for confining them.

Hybrid dogs and cats are considered Exotic Animals and are illegal to own in Shawnee County. (Hybrid: the offspring of a domesticated dog or cat bred with a wild canine or feline.)

The Home Rule does not apply to licensed animal rehabilitators, zoos, circus, menagerie, animal exhibitors or licensed game breeders.

Violations of the Exotic Animal Home Rule range from $50 - $1,000 and no more than 10 days in jail.

For more information on any of these animal-related Home Rules, contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department Animal Control Unit at 785-368-2200.