Tennessee dog leash laws.

◦ Summary

Tennessee is one of only three US states with a statewide leash requirement. T.C.A. § 44-8-408 prohibits dogs from running at large statewide and exposes owners to civil liability if their dog injures another person or animal while off-leash off-property.

◦ Related state statute

T.C.A. § 44-8-413

Owner duty to keep a dog under reasonable control

Citation via Table of State Dog Leash Laws, Rebecca F. Wisch, Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University College of Law. Check the current state code before relying on it.

◦ Notes & gotchas

The statute provides that an owner whose dog runs at large is liable for damages caused by the dog. While not phrased as a strict "leash required" rule, the practical effect across the state is that dogs must be restrained in public. Nashville and Memphis each have explicit leash-length ordinances.