Columbia Female dogs in heat ordinance (§ 5-68)
Chapter 5: Animals and Fowl · Article III. Dogs, Cats and Other Animals
In short: If your female dog is in heat, you must keep her inside a building or secure enclosure where other dogs can't reach her, unless you are doing planned breeding.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
The owner or person responsible for a female dog in heat shall confine the animal within a building or secure enclosure in such a manner that the animal shall not be accessible to other dogs except for planned breeding.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 5-68
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.