MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The Mitchell City Council has approved a new leash law, changing how pet owners are required to control animals in public.
Mayor Jordan Hanson was the tie-breaking vote in Monday night’s council meeting, passing the lease law.
The action follows discussion earlier this year about Mitchell’s animal-at-large ordinance and whether the city should require physical leashes.
Under the city’s previous rules, an animal away from its owner’s property could be considered under “complete control” through a physical leash, verbal commands or a remote pet collar. Animals controlled through verbal commands or remote collars were required to behave as though they were on a leash and remain within 50 feet of their handler.
Physical leashes were already required at public gatherings of 10 or more people, excluding designated leash-free parks.
The previous rules date to 2022, when the City Council approved changes allowing verbal commands and remote collars as methods of controlling animals. That ordinance passed on a 5-4 vote after then-Mayor Bob Everson broke a council tie.
The issue returned to the City Council in 2026, with leash-law requirements discussed during an April meeting.
With Monday’s approval, Mitchell is moving toward stricter physical-leash requirements for pets away from their owners’ property.
Mitchell Now will update this story with the specific requirements, enforcement details and effective date when the final ordinance language is available.