SB 173

Under existing law, a county or municipality may require that a dog be kept on a leash or otherwise restrained

This bill would exempt agricultural work dogs, as defined in the bill, from local leash and restraint laws, except in wildlife management areas

Relating to dogs; to exempt agricultural work dogs from state or local leash and restraint laws; and to provide an exception for wildlife management areas.

Section 1

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) AGRICULTURAL WORK DOG. Any dog that is trained to herd or protect livestock or to otherwise assist in agricultural work and is actually or has been used for such purposes. (2) HUNTING DOG. Any dog trained to hunt wild game with a handler. (b) A local law requiring a dog to be kept on a leash or otherwise restrained does not apply to an agricultural work dog at any time while the dog is engaged in agricultural work or a hunting dog.

Section 2

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.