Cole County to vote on leash rule for parks after loose dog complaint

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Cole County Commission will decide on Tuesday whether dogs at Brooks, County and Thoenen parks must be kept on leashes.

After a resident complaint about a loose dog in a county park in fall 2025, commissioners are set to vote on an animal leash ordinance for all three county parks.

There is no leash law that covers all of Cole County, according to the city's website. Whether pets are leashed depends on county or specific municipality ordinances.

"Urban Service Areas, such as Westview Heights, and county municipalities may be subject to leash laws," the county says.

The commission moved forward on the decision to set an ordinance last month.

In Jefferson City, dogs are required to be on leashes at all city-owned parks, except the North Jefferson Recreation Area Dog Park.

After the loose dog complaint in Cole County and community support, the parks committee recommended in December that the county have a leash rule for its parks. Cole County attorney Jill LaHue said she and the public works department would work on language for the new rules.

Tuesday's Cole County Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m.

Check back for updates.