1. (1) Except as otherwise posted by the department, domestic animals within a developed area must be physically restrained or on a leash no greater than eight feet in length at all times.

2. (2) The owner, handler, or person who brought a domestic animal into a public use site is responsible for that animal and is prohibited from:

   1. (a) allowing a domestic animal to dig, disturb, or otherwise damage a developed area;
   2. (b) allowing a domestic animal to be in an area or facility where it is posted by the department that domestic animals are prohibited (excluding service animals);
   3. (c) violating any public use site-specific posted domestic animal rules;
   4. (d) failing to remove and properly dispose of any waste produced by the domestic animal in a developed area; or
   5. (e) allowing a domestic animal to bite, chase, harass, or create a nuisance, annoyance, or danger to visitors, wildlife, and other animals.
3. (3) Written authorization by the department is required prior to conducting organized dog training or field trials on public use sites.
4. (4) In addition to any other penalty in this chapter, individuals in possession of such animals may be expelled from the site.

Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-102, 23-1-106, 23-1-111, 87-1-201, 87-1-301, 87-1-303, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 23-1-102, 23-1-106, 23-1-111, 87-1-201, 87-1-301, 87-1-303, MCA

History: NEW, 2024 MAR p. 45, Eff. 1/13/24.