Laws on keeping dogs on leashes?

[smallbutgreat]

Have any forum members come across any laws in any country that require dogs to be kept on the lead everywhere and AT ALL TIMES for public safety reasons ... except possibly in a few special areas still to be designated by local authorities?

Just discovered that such a law is at an advanced stage of preparation in the wee country where I live now. It's prompted by a couple of cases where children have been mauled (across the border and, ironically, by exactly the sort of dogs that DONt enjoy healthy off lead exercise but are cooped up in houses or small back yards).

Yay, I've just joined my first protest organisation here. Our dog would go mad without her off lead exercise, and we (who do many hours with her each week) would get SO fat and unhealthy. The country's largest ever petition has apparently been raised in protest in just over a month, but could be helpful to get some back-up from what other countries do.

 

[polaris]

I would be behind you all the way. I would rather my dog died than be subjected to a life of lead exercise. Infact he would die if that were the case!
Thankfully I have not heard anything here in Britain that is categorily 'law' (unless somebody else has)
Best of luck with the campaign.
Maybe certain owners could be leashed and the dogs free? Probably cause a lot less problems!

 

[milor]

some local authorities have banned dogs being excercised off lead in their parks and some areas ( like the New Forest) have a ban too I must admit that I only let my lot off lead on my own land and down the river bank - but we hardly ever meet anyone or any other dogs near our place anyway

 

[Oneofthepack]

There is a law in the country that states a dog has to be 'kept under close control' (not necessarily on a lead) while on public paths, most of which run through private land. As a responsible owner I would keep my dogs on a lead near livestock, or preferably avoid the area altogether, but as in this country it seems the case that a few moronic dog owners will spoil it for the rest of you.

 

[prose]

The leash laws are very strict here in America. In NYC, dogs can only be off-leash in Central Park before 9am and after 9pm (more like 7 in winter). It's not too bad, as these are the times I walk my dog, anyhow. In addition, they have "dog parks" throughout the city, which are fenced-in parcels of land (4 acres or so) where dogs meet and play with one another.

Many people have their dogs off-leash all the time, though, even in built-up areas. My heart would forever be in my mouth -- not just because of the dense traffic, but because the floorscraps here are vile.

 

[dozzie]

I have been told by an experienced dog trainer that it is the law to keep a dog on a lead in a public place in England. Its just that people dont know the law or ignore it!