◦ Statewide leash law
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.
◦ 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.
Last reviewed May 2026. Not legal advice — verify with your municipality before relying on it.