KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Ink Free News recently received a report of a dog wandering from the owner’s yard and being shot with a pellet gun at a Warsaw area mobile home park.

With spring on the way, people are letting their dogs out and taking them for walks and local leash laws are becoming more and more relevant. Indiana does not have a state leash law; city codes are where most of these laws reside. However, there are countywide laws to keep in mind for walking pets outside of a city.

The City Code of Warsaw states any dog that “is at large or unrestrained” or “trespasses on the private property of persons other than the owner of the animal” can be impounded or a citation may be issued for the owner.

Even when a pet is on the owners property, leash laws still come into play both locally and in the county at large.

“Basically, all animals have to be restrained and confined to their premises. Either tied, chained or otherwise restricted,” said Justin Curtis, Warsaw Police Department animal control officer, when asked about leash laws in the city code. However, the county policy differs.

“If you go for a walk with your dog, it does not have to be on a leash, but if it leaves your side then you’re liable,” said Jerry Clase, Kosciusko County animal control officer, when questioned about countywide leash laws.

“As a dog owner, you have to keep your dog on your property … It doesn’t have to be tied, but it has to stay on your property,” Clase said. “If a dog wanders onto someone else’s property and begins to damage property or threaten someone, the person who owns that property can shoot that dog.”

Exercise is an important part of pet care and as warmer weather approaches these laws keep pets safe while they do it.