Rules of dog walking in the city: leash, muzzle, playground

Of all pets, a dog is often called a friend of a person. Being near to us, such animals disinterestedly give their owners love and incredible devotion, serving and protecting. Often for many owners the dog is not just a four-legged companion, but also an indispensable assistant.

It often happens that the dog practically becomes a member of the family. But do not forget that even the quietest, clever and kind dogs still remain animals, and they are "armed" with strong and sharp teeth. So, hypothetically for strangers people's friends can be a threat.

To reduce the likelihood of the dog attacking people or animals, in our country there are rules for walking dogs in a public place. These rules should be guided by the owner of any four-legged friend, regardless of the size, age, breed and characteristics of the nature of the pet.

The peculiarity of the legislation regulating the walking of dogs in the Russian Federation is that there is no single federal law on this subject. Rules of dog walking and administrative responsibility for their violation are determined by local laws of each RF subject. Therefore, the main advice for the future owner of an animal is to carefully study the legislative norms in force in the region where he lives permanently. In order to distinguish the basic requirements for dog owners, we will consider the rules of dog walking in a public place, using the example of laws in force in the Russian capital.

Where to walk a four-legged friend

The answer to this question can be obtained by studying the law "On the content of cats and dogs in the city of Moscow." In an article that defines the rules for safe walking of dogs, there is a specific indication that walking your pet, without hampering it with a muzzle and leash, is possible only in officially authorized places for this. This is a question of special venues, and such a rule exists in virtually all regional laws analogous to the one under consideration.

But in real conditions, unfortunately, special sites for dogs are difficult to find even in large cities, not to mention small settlements. How can you get out of this situation?

Of course, leave the animal without walking it is impossible. Therefore, if there is no special equipped dog platform in the village, then in order to walk a pet and not get a penalty for walking dogs in the wrong place, it is enough to comply with all the other provisions of Article 7 of the above law.

The owner must have:

• Ensure the safety of others by wearing a muzzle and leash on an animal;
• Do not create a threat to the sanitary and hygienic state of the territory, namely not to leave a "traces of livelihoods" of the pet after the walk;
• Monitor the behavior of the dog;
• Avoid those places where the walking of dogs is prohibited by regional legislation.

Places where dogs are not allowed to enter

Despite the relative loyalty with respect to the walking of dogs outside special areas, the law strictly specifies public places where you can not walk with a four-legged friend. These include:

• playgrounds;
• Territory of any educational institution;
• Territory of medical institutions of any type;
• Territories assigned to sports or cultural institutions;
• Places of mass congestion.

The last ban does not apply to city parks.

In addition, according to existing norms, improvised dog-walking areas should not be less than 30 meters from the entrances of houses. Although even representatives of law enforcement authorities recognize that it is simply impossible to fulfill the latter in the conditions of the city. Therefore, in practice, people who walk with a pet not far from an apartment building may not have claims, if other hygiene standards and safe walking requirements are observed.

When the leash is necessary

Without a leash and a collar in a public place, the walking of dogs is prohibited. Situations where even the most calm and trained dog just runs alongside the legislator's point of view is unacceptable and will definitely serve as an excuse for the administrative punishment of the owner of a four-legged friend. This rule applies equally to owners of both large and very small breeds. And the rules of walking emphasize that the leash should not only help control the pet, but also ensure the safety of the dog itself, for example, when driving on the roadside .

Requirements for a leash for a dog

The rules of dog walking in Moscow, and in many other Russian regions, show only one requirement to the leash: the length should be sufficient to fully control your pet. What does this mean in practice?

A single standard, of course, does not exist. The collar and leash are selected taking into account the breed, weight and age of the dog. Experts and experienced dog owners agree that the so-called short leash is about 50 meters long. Complete with a strict collar and muzzle this gives complete control over the actions of the dog. The downside of this kit is that the dog does not have the ability to walk, that is, to run and warm up. Therefore, as a rule, such control is recommended for fighting dogs. Depending on the breed of dog, the length of the leash can be increased.

And a little more about the ability to control the animal. In some regions, including Moscow and the region, the rules of dog walking prohibit children and teenagers under the age of 12 (14) years old from independently leading the animal on a leash, since a physically strong and large dog may simply not be kept. Also there is a ban for people in a state of intoxication.

Why you need a muzzle

Sometimes on special forums of dog-owners there are disputes about how humane the use of muzzles is and whether the dog can be comfortable in it for a walk. The law prescribes mandatory use of muzzles for large and (or) restless, aggressive animals, dogs of certain breeds and their hybrids. But is it possible to ignore wearing this device when walking dogs that are not prone to aggressive behavior? Professional trainers often warn that it is impossible to envisage all situations. Even the most non-aggressive and kind dogs can unpredictably lead themselves in a public place in relation to both humans and other animals.

In addition, the muzzle is designed to provide security not only to others, but also the dog itself. The muzzle first of all prevents the animal from picking up and eating something from the ground. Thus, the owner can protect the pet from accidental poisoning or from traps of dog-men.

When it is necessary to wear a muzzle

In which cases do the rules of walking dogs in the city and beyond set the owner the duty to muzzle his pet? Let's consider this issue in more detail. The Moscow rules of walking dogs in a public place prescribe the mandatory wearing of a muzzle for all four-footed animals without exception, which can be dangerous for a person or other animal. This type includes all dogs weighing more than 5 kg.

The capital law also includes a list of four dozen potentially dangerous breeds. Without a muzzle with such animals you can walk only in the fenced area for dog walking.

Requirements for Mind

Clear requirements to the material or the size of the muzzle, as in the case with the leash, no. In order not to cause harm to the animal and not create situations where the dog can simply gnaw and remove the muzzle, when choosing a device it is better to rely on the following tips:

• To buy a muzzle safe for the dog - breathable completely and allowing the animal in the muzzle to fully open the mouth.
• Choose the product by size. The muzzle should not crash into the nose of the animal and not interfere with sight. It is this condition that guarantees the safety of others.

Transportation: public transport

Many are wondering how to transport a dog in public transport. It is clear that the transportation of the animal is allowed only with a muzzle and a leash. But are there any additional requirements? In accordance with the capital legislation, the owner of the dog during the trip by public transport along with the pet is required to have a document on registration in the Register of Cats and Dogs of Moscow. The host must present this document to the controller when checking.

Requirements for walking to owners of small breeds

Small breeds are dogs that weigh less than 5 kg. It is assumed that such pets do not give rise to threats to humans, although many people, including owners of dogs, may disagree with this. Nevertheless, the rules of dog walking give certain indulgences for small breeds.

For example, an animal lead of less than 5 kg can replace a special carry. Especially interesting is the moment: holding a small dog in his arms, you can visit any public place, even where you can not go with animals. But at the same time lowering the pet to the floor and allowing him to freely walk around is strictly prohibited.

For public transport, the animal-baby also has a privilege: the law on dogs allows them to be transported without a muzzle, but with a leash. The same exception applies to walks around the city. A dog belonging to the category of small ones is fully allowed to lower off the leash if the walk takes place away from any public places. But it should not be forgotten that if a baby caused any damage or attacked a person or an animal, the owner will have to respond in the same way as for the actions of a large pet.

Is it a duty to remove a dog?

A real wave of indignation is caused by feces left by the dogs. If in many countries to clean up for your pet is a common thing, our compatriots in most cases ignore this duty. The result of such a violation we see on the streets and in the courtyards of apartment houses every day.

The law on dogs allows representatives of the authorities not only to force the owner to clean up his four-legged friend, but also draw up a protocol on administrative violation with a subsequent fine. Therefore, the best advice is to purchase for walking with a dog such accessories as a special scoop and packages.

Responsibility of the owner

Moscow Code of Administrative Violations provides for a number of penalties in the form of a fine for the owners of dogs. For example, a penalty for walking dogs in the wrong place, a walk without a muzzle and leash, as well as contamination of public places, that is, uncleared faeces - each of these violations will cost the owner of the animal in the amount of 1 to 2 thousand rubles.

Infringement of rules of transportation by public transport, spoiled by a dog of another's (including municipal) property will cost from 500 to 1000 rubles.

Cases of aggressive behavior of dogs are punished more severely. If a friend of the person, due to the negligence of the owner, attacked people or other animals, the fine will be from 4 to 5 thousand. And when the aggressor himself shows aggression by inciting his dog to animals or people, a fine can range from 2 to 5 thousand.

Monetary amounts are indicated for citizens who own dogs. If the infringer is an official or a legal entity, the amount of the penalty increases many times.

Another animal was injured or killed: does the dog owner bear any responsibility?

Consider another common situation, when by chance the dog attacked another animal, wild or domestic. If the dog has driven a cat to a tree, then responsibility for the owner for this is not provided. But if the attacking dog injured or the injured animal died, the owner who committed the attack will have to pay a fine for a decent amount - from 4 to 5 thousand rubles.

Criminal responsibility: what will I have to answer for?

The question that often arises in connection with conflict situations between dog owners and opponents of keeping such animals in urban conditions: can violation of the rules of dog walking entail not only administrative but also criminal liability for a malicious offender? Let's see if it is possible to criminally attract the owner of the dog who bites a person.

Even if a person regularly violates the rules of dog walking, there will be no criminal prosecution for this. But even in a situation where a dog has attacked a person, criminal responsibility for the owner of an aggressive animal may also not exist. A criminal case can be opened only in one case: if the owner specifically set his dog and at the same time, the injured person's health was seriously harmed.