Leash up to keep pets and people safe! Enjoy your walks in the park

For many people, the summer season means spending additional time outside. And for dog owners, this often means bringing their canine friends with them on those outdoor adventures!

Many places in Washington County cater to pets, including neighborhood parks with designated off-leash areas. However, Washington County code requires a dog to be on a leash that is seven feet or shorter when NOT in a designated off-leash area, on the dog owner’s property, or on private property where the dog owner has permission from the property owner for their dog to be off its leash.

Even if you have a very well-behaved pup, there are good reasons to keep your dog on a leash in public. Allowing your dog to be off leash creates substantial liability for you. Washington County Animal Services responds to over 7,000 calls a year. Many of those calls are related to situations that happen while dogs are off leash, like dog bites and fights between animals (including wildlife and cats!). These situations are upsetting and result in animals and people getting hurt.

Additionally, some people are uncomfortable with loose dogs. People may have a fear of dogs, or leashed dogs may be reactive to unleashed dogs approaching them. By keeping your dog on leash, you help others more comfortably and safely enjoy the public spaces we all share.

Please be a responsible pet owner and be considerate of others. Keep your dog on leash to prevent unwanted and unsafe situations and to avoid a citation for violating County code.

Find more information on this topic and more at www.WashingtonCountyPets.com.