Leash rules: Lower Austria

sourcedchecked on 28 October 2026

Summary

Leash or muzzle, inside built-up areas, at certain places, dangerous dogs

The rule

In public places in the built-up area, dogs must be led with a muzzle or on a leash (§ 8 Abs. 3); the leash must ensure that the dog can be controlled at all times (§ 8 Abs. 7). The municipality can exempt dog exercise zones from this (§ 9) and designate dog safety zones with stricter rules, also outside the built-up area (§ 9a).

More details from the source

Exceptions

Service, hunting, herding, guarding, livestock protection, watch, rescue, disability assistance and therapy dogs as well as presence and school visit dogs during training, practice or deployment, dogs at demonstrations and shows (§ 8 Abs. 8); dogs carried on the arm or in a container (§ 8 Abs. 6 and 7).

Muzzle

Leash and muzzle together apply on public transport, in schools, kindergartens and other childcare facilities, on children's playgrounds, at places with larger crowds of people (e.g. shopping centres, amusement parks, restaurants, bathing facilities during the bathing season), at events and in confined spaces such as lifts and gondolas (§ 8 Abs. 5); for dogs with increased danger potential and conspicuous dogs always in public places in the built-up area (§ 8 Abs. 4).

Source

RIS (Landesrecht Niederösterreich): NÖ Hundehaltegesetz, LGBl. 4001, version of 28.10.2026

checked on 28 October 2026