Legal Definitions - Running at large

Definition: Running at large refers to an animal that is not under the control of its owner or custodian and is off their property. It can also refer to a candidate for public office who is elected by an entire municipality, city, county, or state rather than a subdivision within it.

Example 1: A dog that escapes from its owner's yard and is found wandering the streets is considered to be running at large.

Example 2: In a city council election, there may be some members who are elected to represent a specific ward or district, while others are elected "at large" to represent the entire city.

These examples illustrate the two different meanings of running at large. In the first example, an animal is not properly contained and is free to roam, which can be dangerous for both the animal and the community. In the second example, elected officials who are chosen "at large" represent the interests of the entire community, rather than just a specific area within it.