Leash Law and Dogs at Parks
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The City of Minnetonka is proposing two city ordinances that amend existing regulations related to off-leash dogs in the city generally and in public parks specifically.
Under an ordinance amending section 925.085 relating to dogs at large, dog owners may no longer walk their dogs off-leash and at heel.
- Dogs must either be within a vehicle or container from which they cannot escape or they must be leashed.
- The ordinance does allow the use of a retractable leash of no more 20 feet, provided that the leash is retracted to six feet whenever another person or animal is within 20 feet.
- The ordinance contains two exceptions: police canines performing official duties are not subject to the leash requirement; and dogs may be off-leash within public parks to the extent allowed by the park regulations in section 1135 of the city code.
Under an ordinance amending sections 1135.010 and 1135.020 relating to animals within city parks:
- Rather than list where animals are allowed, the ordinance now lists the locations where animals are prohibited. Animals are allowed in any park location that is not prohibited.
- Allows the use of either a fixed leash of no more than six feet or a retractable leash of up to 20 feet, provided that the retractable leash must be shortened to six feet whenever another person or animal is within 20 feet.
- Dogs may be off-leash only within “designated off-leash areas” rather than within any unimproved and unmaintained area of the park.
Page last updated: 13 Nov 2024, 08:37 AM
Who's Listening
-
Park and Trail Project Manager
Phone 952-988-8444 Email mkumka@minnetonkamn.gov
I am in favor of the new ordinance. I still have a concern about the 6 foot leash requirement, because I have experienced owners who allow their dog come right up to me even when on leash. I wish their were a requirement that owners either maintain their dog on their right side and close to their side as if in the heel position when they are passing another walker on a trail.
I also think certain dogs should have a muzzle requirement. In Ireland they require 10 breeds of dog to be on a leash no longer than a meter in length, with a muzzle, led by a person over 16 years of age, and with a collar that has the name and address of the owner.
Minnetonka needs more designated off leash areas, not less. I strongly oppose these ordinances.
Matt and team,
I appreciate Minnetonka's review and update of the ordinances.
My personal experiences walking and biking at Purgatory Park and throughout Minnetonka definitely reflect concerns for safety around dogs.
Unfortunately, I've frequently found dog owners who believe there dog is under control of voice commands but they are clearly not.
We've experienced dogs jumping on ourselves and family members, and more critically, smaller children.
Likewise, we constantly see bagged dog waste left in parks, along trails, and roads.
I've heard owners comment that they plan to pick up the waste "on the way home" but unfortunately the bags typically remain for months.
Thanks again for gathering feedback.
Feel free to contact me for any questions.
Kevin V.
kvv@att.net
I believe the changes outlined in this draft are good and should be implemented. I have had bad experiences at Purgatory Park with dogs that have been allowed off leash and would feel more comfortable visiting the park with the rules outlined in the new ordinance. Thank you!
I support this proposal. I have 2 dog that are ALWAYS on leash when not in my fenced yard. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve walked them (leashed) and Oberlin Park and we have been run up on by off leash dogs. One of my dogs is reactive and gets agitated and afraid when this happens. There is a playground and daycare at the park and it’s not safe for kids to be near off leash dogs they aren’t familiar with, it’s also unsafe for the dogs as I’ve seen them run into the street. There is considerable traffic on Hopkins Xrd that poses danger for off leash dogs. I appreciate that dogs need to run…which is why off leash dog parks exist…and where owners should take their dogs. Parks are for kids and other humans to be able to use safely. Dog parks are for off leash dogs to use safely.
I think we should allow dogs to still be off leash; however, if there are problems, the owner needs to be held responsible for the actions of the dog. Dog owners should know their pet well enough to know if they are candidates for off leash.
I am definitely in favor of these two new ordinances.
I would like to call attention to the definition of "recreational trail". It is listed under Park or park facility and would be subject to the definition of Park. Is a recreational trail a "park"? And is this also redundant because trails are already within a park and subject to park regulations?
Recreational trail is then defined as: “Recreational trail” includes both primary and informal trails. Primary trails are formal trails built with either asphalt or gravel and actively maintained by the city. Informal trails are earthen foot paths created by use over time rather than having been purposefully constructed by the city.
There is already exceptions to the definition of informal trails. Earthen footpaths were planned and maintained by the city for mountain biking and are planned at Cullen Nature Preserve. I suggest (if you must define recreational trail) that you consider eliminating the erroneous language surrounding the context of the trail type. Instead, it could read:
“Recreational trail” is a city approved trail.