Leash Law and Dogs at Parks

The city council adopted two ordinances related to off-leash dogs in the city at its Nov. 18 meeting.

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.

A community work group has begun work on the development of off-leash dog areas in city parks and other city owned properties. 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.