Clarksville TN Leash Laws: What Dog Owners Need to Know
The plain-English version of the leash and "at large" rules for Clarksville and Montgomery County, Tennessee, written by the trainers at Off Leash K9 Training Clarksville. We train dogs to be reliable off leash; this page explains where the law still requires one.
Short answer: yes, Clarksville has a leash law. Off your own property, a dog must be on a leash or under the immediate physical control of a person able to restrain it. In parks and public recreation areas the dog must be on a leash or similar physical restraint. A dog running loose is "at large", which is a violation locally and a Class C misdemeanor under Tennessee law when no damage or injury results, with higher penalties when there is.
Enforcement in Clarksville and Montgomery County is handled by Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, 437 Jordan Road, Clarksville, TN 37040, (931) 648-5750.
The rules, by source
| Source | What it says | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County Animal Control Regulations | "At large" means an animal off the owner's premises that is not on a leash or otherwise under the immediate control of a person physically capable of restraining it. "Restraint" off the premises means a lead or leash under the control of a responsible person. Dogs in any park or public recreation area must be controlled by a leash or similar physical restraint. | Unincorporated Montgomery County; the county's officers also enforce within Clarksville. |
| City of Clarksville Code, Title 3 (Animals) | No owner or keeper may allow an animal to stray or run at large on any public street, sidewalk or park or on another person's property without sufficient restraint. Off the owner's premises an animal must be under the control of a competent person and restrained by a chain, leash or other means of visible control. | Inside the city limits. The city has delegated enforcement to the county. |
| Tennessee Code 44-8-408 | A dog is not allowed to run at large. Without property damage or injury the offense is a Class C misdemeanor; penalties increase if the dog causes damage, injury or death. | Statewide, including Clarksville, Woodlawn, Dover and the rest of Montgomery and Stewart Counties. |
This page summarizes public regulations as of October 2026 and is not legal advice. For a specific situation, call Montgomery County Animal Care and Control at (931) 648-5750 or read the regulations on montgomerytn.gov.
Where a leash is required in Clarksville
- Streets, sidewalks and greenways. Leash on, every time. "Under voice control" is not a defense on a public sidewalk.
- City and county parks. Leash or similar physical restraint, except inside a fenced, designated off-leash area such as the dog park at Heritage Park. The fenced area is the only place in a park where the leash comes off. See our guide to Clarksville dog parks.
- Other people's property. A dog on a neighbor's lawn without permission is at large even if it is friendly.
- Your own property. No leash required, but the dog must stay on it. A dog that leaves the yard is at large the moment it crosses the line; a fence, a tether rated for the dog or a trained boundary is on you.
- Fort Campbell. On post, installation rules apply. Pets living on post are registered with the Veterinary Center and the Housing Office under CAM-REG 40-7; check the current leash and housing rules with the Housing Office or Campbell Crossing before relying on this page.
What happens if your dog is picked up
Animal Care and Control officers are authorized under Tennessee law to enforce local and state animal ordinances. A dog found at large can be impounded at the shelter on Jordan Road; reclaiming it involves fees and proof of current vaccination, and repeat offenses are treated more seriously. A microchip and a collar tag with a current phone number are the fastest way to get a dog home before it reaches the shelter.
Off-leash training and the leash law are not in conflict
People ask us this every week: if the dog is trained off leash, why keep a leash on? Because the law applies to the dog's location, not the dog's training. What off-leash training changes is what happens when the leash fails. A gate left open, a leash dropped on a greenway, a dog that bolts from the car in a parking lot: a dog with a proofed recall comes back, and a dog without one is at large on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. The leash satisfies the ordinance; the training is what keeps the dog alive when the leash is not there.
Our programs proof recall, "place" and loose-leash walking around real distractions, then hand the commands to the family in a go-home lesson. The 2 Week Board & Train is $2,900; private lessons start at $375 for a single starter lesson and $650 for the four-lesson Basic Obedience package. The e-collar and leash are included.
Frequently asked questions
What are Clarksville's leash laws?
Off your own property, your dog must be on a leash or under the immediate physical control of someone able to restrain it, and in parks it must be on a leash or similar physical restraint. A loose dog is "at large", a local violation and a Class C misdemeanor under Tennessee Code 44-8-408 when no damage or injury occurs.
Can my dog be off leash in a Clarksville park?
Only inside a fenced, designated off-leash area such as the dog park at Heritage Park. Everywhere else in a park the dog must be leashed or physically restrained.
Is "voice control" enough instead of a leash?
Not on streets, sidewalks, parks or other people's property. The county regulations define restraint off the premises as a lead or leash under the control of a responsible person.
Who enforces leash laws in Clarksville?
Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, 437 Jordan Road, Clarksville, TN 37040, (931) 648-5750. The City of Clarksville delegated enforcement of its animal provisions to the county.
Does the leash law apply on Fort Campbell?
On post, installation and housing rules apply rather than the county ordinance. Pets living on post are registered under CAM-REG 40-7 with the Veterinary Center and the Housing Office; check current leash rules with Housing or Campbell Crossing.
Does off-leash training mean I can skip the leash?
No. The leash satisfies the ordinance wherever it applies. Off-leash training is what brings the dog back when a gate, a leash or a car door fails.
Want a dog that comes back when the leash is not there?
Free consultation for Clarksville, Fort Campbell, Oak Grove and Hopkinsville families. Off Leash K9 Training Clarksville, 2850 Woodlawn Rd, Woodlawn, TN 37191.
Call (615) 905-6559