Dogs must be leashed on public property in Oxford, licensed each year and kept out of the city cemetery. Where to walk them, and who to call.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Rules come from the City of Oxford’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18 (Animals and Fowl), the Oxford Animal Resource Center and the park pages linked below.
Oxford’s dog rules are short: keep the dog on a leash or under your direct control off your own property, license it every year, pick up after it, and keep it out of the city cemetery. The city’s parks are open to leashed dogs, and Lamar Park is the one the city names as dog-friendly in its own rules.
Who to call
- Loose, sick or aggressive animal: animal resource officer, 662-832-1931
- Oxford Animal Resource Center (shelter, lost and found, licenses): 413 McElroy Drive, 662-234-3981
- Parks questions: Oxford Park Commission, 662-232-2380
- Lamar Park: Buildings and Grounds, 662-232-2302
- Official link: Animal Resource Center services
The leash rule
Section 18-6 of the city code makes it unlawful for an owner to let a dog run at large, stray from home, or go onto another person’s property or any public property unless it is on a leash or otherwise under the owner’s direct, physical control. The rule does not apply in a public area the city has specifically set aside for unleashed animals.
Section 18-76 repeats the ban on dogs at large anywhere in the city and sets the fines:
| Offense | Fine, plus court costs |
|---|---|
| First | $50 |
| Second | $75 |
| Third and later | $100 |
A judge can also order the owner to confine the dog, train it, have it spayed or neutered, or surrender it to the city shelter.
No dogs in the city cemetery. The same section bans dogs from the city cemetery at all times, whether or not they are on a leash.
Pick up after your dog. City Code Section 114-143 makes it unlawful to leave animal waste in an unsanitary manner on public or private property in the city.
Licenses and rabies shots
Every dog over 3 months old whose owner lives inside the city limits needs a city license, renewed every year, under Sections 18-72 to 18-75 of the code. People who move to Oxford have 30 days to license their dog. Visitors staying fewer than 60 days are exempt.
- Fee: $5 a year for a spayed or neutered dog; $15 a year for an intact dog.
- Where: the city animal shelter or a veterinary clinic it contracts with. A clinic may add a $2 handling charge.
- What to bring: proof of a rabies shot from a licensed veterinarian.
- The tag: the license tag goes on a collar the dog wears at all times.
- Service dogs: certified guide, hearing and assistance dogs and police dogs still need a license, but there is no fee.
Failing to vaccinate a dog over 3 months old against rabies carries a $100 fine under the code.
Where to walk a dog
| Place | What the rules say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Park, College Hill Road at Country Club Road | Dogs on a leash at all times; walking trails, gardens and a lake; closes at dusk | City of Oxford |
| Woodlawn Park | 1,700-foot walking track, picnic tables and a dog waste station | Oxford Park Commission |
| Garden Terrace Park, off Thacker Road | Half-mile paved walking trail, 10 feet wide | Oxford Park Commission |
| Avent Park, Park Drive | Walking trail around the park | Oxford Park Commission |
| South Campus Rail Trail, Ole Miss | 5-mile round trip on a gravel rail bed with half-mile markers | Ole Miss Campus Recreation |
The city leash rule applies in every city park. Ole Miss does not post a separate dog rule on its rail trail page; keep the dog leashed there as well. Bailey Woods Trail, between Rowan Oak and the University Museum, is temporarily closed for bridge repairs, the university says.
Lamar Park’s other rules: no skateboards, no alcohol, no organized events or reservations, and no grills, tables, chairs or loudspeakers brought in.
Patios and stores
No Oxford restaurant or bar we checked publishes a written dog policy on its own website, so we do not list any here. Patio rules are up to each business; call before you bring a dog.
Lost or found dogs
The Animal Resource Center posts lost pets on its website and will scan a found animal for a microchip at no charge, its services page says. If you find a dog inside the city limits, call 662-234-3981. Under Section 18-5 of the code, a found animal has to be turned in to the city shelter within 48 hours so the owner can reclaim it.
What this means for you
- Leash the dog anywhere off your own property, including every city park.
- License each dog every year and keep the tag on its collar.
- Lamar Park is the city’s dog-friendly walk; go before dusk.
- Leave the dog at home when you visit the city cemetery.
Related: parks and trails, walking and biking trails and free things to do in Oxford.
Frequently asked questions
Does Oxford, Mississippi have a leash law?
Yes. City Code Section 18-6 makes it unlawful to let a dog onto public property or another person’s property unless it is on a leash or under the owner’s direct physical control, and Section 18-76 bans dogs running at large anywhere in the city.
Where can I walk my dog in Oxford?
Lamar Park welcomes dogs on a leash at all times and closes at dusk. Woodlawn Park has a 1,700-foot walking track with a dog waste station, and the city’s other parks have walking paths.
Do I need a dog license in Oxford, Mississippi?
Yes. City residents must license every dog over 3 months old each year, with proof of rabies vaccination. New residents have 30 days. The city code sets the fee at $5 for a spayed or neutered dog and $15 for an intact dog.
Can I take my dog to the Oxford city cemetery?
No. City Code Section 18-76 bans dogs from the city cemetery at all times, even on a leash.
Who do I call about a loose dog in Oxford?
Call the Oxford Animal Resource Center’s animal resource officer at 662-832-1931 for an animal running at large, sick or aggressive. The shelter itself is at 662-234-3981.
Have your say