Columbia Animals running at large—Unlawful for owner to allow; impoundment authorized ordinance (§ 5-4)
Chapter 5: Animals and Fowl · Article I. In General
In short: Owners and anyone responsible for an animal, fowl or reptile may not let it run loose on city streets or public places, unless the code says otherwise. Animal control will impound strays at the city pound, and the owner gets the animal back only after paying the prescribed fee.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or any person responsible for any animal, fowl or reptile, except as otherwise herein provided, to allow such animal, fowl or reptile to run at large or loose upon any of the streets or public places of the city, and any such animal, fowl or reptile running at large or loose upon the streets or public places of the city shall be taken up by the animal control officer and impounded in the city pound, and shall be released to the owner thereof only upon payment to the animal control officer of the prescribed fee.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 5-4
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.