City rolls out new dog law on Wednesday: leashes, limits & licenses

File Photo - Powered by Dog - Alexa Strickland combined dog exercise and skateboarding several years ago near the Bargeway Pub on Riverfront Trail. Her dog, Bizzo, an Australian Shepherd, gave his leash a mouth embrace.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 6, 2026 — Starting Wednesday, Jan. 7, dogs running loose in public will no longer be allowed in The Dalles, as a new city ordinance requires dogs to be under their owner’s control unless off-leash use is specifically permitted by law.

“Our approach primarily will be to spread public information and education through our animal control officer,” said The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy. “All our officers are empowered to enforce the ordinance, but we are going with an education first approach. It’s  just the right thing to do… there are a  lot of people out there who are not aware of the new law.”

City officials said the updated dog control ordinance is intended to reduce conflicts between dogs, people and property, while giving residents clearer guidance on where dogs may and may not be off leash.

Chief Worthy echoed that sentiment.

“The most important thing right how is to show the intent of the law is to keep people, animals and their property safe,” he said.

Leashes

Under the updated rules, dogs must be under the control of their keeper when off the owner’s premises.

In short, leashes required.

In most cases, this requires dogs to be on a leash and not allowed to run at large, unless off-leash use is specifically permitted by law.

Dog Limits

File Photo - Julio D. Paredes, 85, and his German Pinscher, Buck, 5, put on their coats and braved the rain at Klindt’s Cove in The Port of The Dalles back on Jan. 4, 2021. “I’m Buck’s driver,” Paredes said. “I have to do whatever he wants.” Buck weighed in at 110 pounds and was known to give Julio a little pinch in the butt when things get too dull at home.

The ordinance establishes limits the number of adult dogs allowed at a residence. The rule will gradually be applied as owners who are over the new dog limit allow for their pets to stay with their families.

Single-family dwellings may keep up to four adult dogs, while duplexes, multifamily units and other dwelling types are limited to two adult dogs.

No more than one adult female dog may be kept for breeding purposes at any dwelling.

Puppies younger than 6 months are not counted toward these limits.

Dogs that were legally kept above the new limits before the ordinance takes effect will be allowed to remain under a grandfather provision. To do so, dog owners must notify Animal Control within 60 days of the ordinance’s effective date, no later than March 8, and ensure each of those dogs is licensed by July 1.

Dogs covered under the grandfather provision may not be replaced, however. Over time, as those dogs are no longer kept, the total number of dogs at a property must be reduced to meet the new limits.

Licensing

All dogs in The Dalles must be licensed by July 1. That license tag must be attached to the dog’s collar.

The updated ordinance requires all adult dogs kept within city limits to be licensed by July 1 and maintained thereafter. Licensing requires proof of a current rabies vaccination and payment of a fee. City Council is expected to approve licensing fees at its Jan. 26 meeting as part of the adoption of the city’s new fee schedule.

“This is an avenue to help keep people and animals safe,” Worthy reiterated. “The city council put in a lot of time on this doing its due diligence and listenting to residents and veterinarians in the community.”

Dog owners must obtain a license for the dog by paying the applicable license fee established by Wasco County, and furnishing a current certificate of rabies inoculation for the dog. The keeper of the licensed dog shall attach the license tag issued for the dog to a collar, which collar shall be worn by the dog at all times when not in the immediate possession of the keeper of the dog.

Running at Large

Under the ordinance, dogs found off the owner’s premises and not under the control of their keeper are considered “running at large,” a violation that may result in impoundment. Dogs may also be impounded if they are unlicensed or if they are in the possession of a person who is arrested and unable to retain custody of the animal.

The updated code expands and clarifies what constitutes a public nuisance, including dogs that chase people or vehicles, trespass on private property, scatter garbage, disturb others with frequent or prolonged noise, or run at large in public spaces. Maintaining a dog deemed a public nuisance is a violation under city law.

The ordinance also outlines standards for dogs classified as potentially dangerous or dangerous. A dog may be considered potentially dangerous if it menaces a person, injures a person without provocation, or injures or kills another domestic animal while off the keeper’s premises. Dogs that inflict serious physical injury on a person, repeatedly engage in dangerous behavior, or are used as a weapon in a crime may be classified as dangerous.

While the introduction of the law is education focused during its first several months, penalties are in place for when other remedies are exhausted.

Fines under the ordinance vary by violation. Dog owners may be fined up to $50 for failing to license a dog, up to $500 for maintaining a public nuisance dog, and up to $1,000 for maintaining a dangerous dog. Courts may also order restitution, removal of a dog from the city, or, in some cases, destruction of the dog. Interfering with a dog control officer during impoundment is punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Owners are responsible for all impound, licensing and vaccination fees before a dog may be released.

Additional information, including required forms and licensing details, is available at thedalles.org/DogControlTD. Residents with questions may contact Animal Control Officer Jake Baker at jabaker@thedalles.gov. Click here to read the ordinance.