Cornelius is launching a leash compliance awareness campaign.

April 18. The Town of Cornelius has launched a leash compliance awareness campaign called “Leash Like You Mean It” as a way to encourage the use of leashes by residents when on public property.

Off-leash pets have historically posed a number of concerns, the town said in a news release, including  hostile interactions between pets, lost pets and damage to public property.

The campaign will share guidance on social media and at special events, as well as educate residents on potential consequences for not complying with Town Ordinance.

On April 3, the Cornelius Board of Commissioners approved amendments to Title IX, Section 91.05. of the Code of Ordinances.

Additionally, dogs are never allowed on athletic fields. While it might seem like a great place for a game of fetch, those little paws cause big damage to the fields we work so hard to maintain, the town said. Dog can run  and play at Swaney Pointe K-9 Park is located at Ramsey Creek Park.

Failure to comply can result in up to $225 in fines and possible expulsion from town facilities.

The restraint of animals ordinance now reads:

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any animal, excluding cats, to keep such animal upon his or her own premises or off the premises unless such animal is under sufficient physical restraint such as a leash, or bridle, or within a vehicle or adequately contained by a fence on the premises or other secure enclosure. If the physical restraint used is a leash or bridle requiring a person to control the animal, the person using the physical restraint must be of sufficient age and physical size or ability to reasonably restrain the animal. A standard leash may be no longer than 10 feet in length; a retractable leash may be no longer than 26 feet in length when fully extended.

Electronic collars, training collars or other like devices that are remotely controlled by a person in possession, charge, custody or control of any animal do not provide physical restraint as required by this section.

If the secure enclosure is an invisible fence system, then all components of the system must be in working order and in proper place.