Do dogs have to be on a lead in a public park?
Rahsaan Klocko
2025-07-26 13:39:30
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It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as: in a public place. The law applies to all dogs. You can report a dog that’s out of control. Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it: injures someone makes someone worried that it might injure them. A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply: it attacks someone’s animal the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.
Jacinto Wolf
2025-07-13 18:44:30
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: 13
Always keep your dog in sight, carry a lead with you and respect areas where dogs aren't allowed or need to be kept on a lead. There are plenty of areas where you can exercise your dog off the lead, but you need to do this in designated areas, and always clean up after your dog. This means using areas of parks and open spaces where there are no restrictions or controls on dogs. You could get a fixed penalty notice for: failing to clean up after your dog in public places allowing your dog to enter areas where dogs are excluded letting your dog off the lead in areas where this is restricted failing to put your dog on a lead when an authorised officer tells you to. The control orders apply to all children's playgrounds and some enclosed sports and leisure facility sites such as tennis courts, paddling pools and bowling greens.
Ewald Stoltenberg
2025-07-13 18:28:55
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: 19
Dogs are allowed to be let off their leads in the UK while walking in a safe area and where there are not signs warning owners to keep them on a lead. However, owners are advised to take caution when allowing dogs to roam freely. This should represent a judgement call by the owner based on the dog’s responsiveness, temperament, and experience. Some areas operate public-space protection orders on this matter and owners should look out for warnings of PSPOs - as falling foul could result in a fine if the rule is broken. Make sure you know where your dog is at all times. If you're letting your dog off the lead, be confident there are no livestock nearby. Be sure that your dog will return to you promptly on command and, if in doubt, keep them on the lead. Dogs must be kept on leads in all public spaces. In local estates, dogs would have to be kept on leads including in car parks, on roads and in communal areas. The Royal Parks has its own requirements for walking dogs, dogs can be walked off leads in places but not everywhere. These are clearly indicated within each park and are usually ecologically sensitive sites, deer parks, children’s play areas, restaurants, cafés, and some sports areas. When walking your dog in the Royal Parks, please respect the wildlife as well as the other park users by keeping your dog under control.
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