Dogs & Parks, to leash or not to leash? The straight scoop!
By most accounts unleashed dog activity in the American River Parkway has increased dramatically in recent years including areas such as Sutter’s Landing Park. There are ongoing complaints about encounters with off-leash dogs including disturbances, threats to wildlife, public health and safety and more. Existing rules require dogs to be on leash and controlled at all times including within parks. In spite of this conflict, very few citations are being written for those who violate these requirements.
At Sutter’s Landing Park, off-leash dog activity along the river and adjacent habitats seemed to increase significantly after the City finished the nearly enclosed dog park.
Local Sacramento area dog park information and rules follow along with a creative example from Portland’s city managed Forest Park on how to educate about off-leash dog impacts and provide incentives to do better for us to consider.
Clearly the framework has been established for appropriate dog activities in the Parkway and similar areas. Could more outreach and incentive help or is it time to call for strict enforcement? The example below from Portland’s city managed Forest Park was used to educate about off-leash dog impacts and provide incentives to do so. Portland has a 5000 acre city managed wilderness park, one of the largest in the nation. This seems a very good model - its great to see fresh approaches to the off-leash dog problem and, to confirm those concerned aren’t over-reacting to the issue. Remember: You and your dog can help protect all of our parks while appreciating them too!
Here are the main facts and information about local Sacramento area dog parks:
Sacramento County Dog Parks Information:
“While we recognize the many benefits of off-leash time for your dog, Sacramento County Code states that dogs must be kept on leashes within our Regional Parks. Find out why leashes are required. There are several facilities in Sacramento County that do have off-leash parks listed below.” Sacramento County Dog Parks
“While there are many options for pets to run off leash, Sacramento County has leash laws that require dogs to be safely under control and leashed at all times outside of designated "off-leash" areas, including all County Parks.”
Why Must Dogs Be On a Leash?
At Sutter’s Landing Park, off-leash dog activity along the river and adjacent habitats seemed to increase significantly after the City finished the nearly enclosed dog park.
Local Sacramento area dog park information and rules follow along with a creative example from Portland’s city managed Forest Park on how to educate about off-leash dog impacts and provide incentives to do better for us to consider.
Clearly the framework has been established for appropriate dog activities in the Parkway and similar areas. Could more outreach and incentive help or is it time to call for strict enforcement? The example below from Portland’s city managed Forest Park was used to educate about off-leash dog impacts and provide incentives to do so. Portland has a 5000 acre city managed wilderness park, one of the largest in the nation. This seems a very good model - its great to see fresh approaches to the off-leash dog problem and, to confirm those concerned aren’t over-reacting to the issue. Remember: You and your dog can help protect all of our parks while appreciating them too!
Here are the main facts and information about local Sacramento area dog parks:
Sacramento County Dog Parks Information:
“While we recognize the many benefits of off-leash time for your dog, Sacramento County Code states that dogs must be kept on leashes within our Regional Parks. Find out why leashes are required. There are several facilities in Sacramento County that do have off-leash parks listed below.” Sacramento County Dog Parks
“While there are many options for pets to run off leash, Sacramento County has leash laws that require dogs to be safely under control and leashed at all times outside of designated "off-leash" areas, including all County Parks.”
Why Must Dogs Be On a Leash?
- For the safety of your dog - Your dog can become trapped or injured while in unfamiliar territory, bitten from rattlesnakes or other animals or exposed to wildlife hazards, including ticks, poison oak or other plants that have thorns or burrs. Your pet will be less likely to encounter these dangers on a leash.
- For safety of wildlife - Animals may be flushed out of nesting sites or have their homes destroyed by digging dogs.
- For the safety of people - Some people, particularly children, are afraid of dogs - even friendly ones.
- It's the law - Sacramento County Code 9.36.061 (d) requires dogs to be on a leash. Leashes, even retractable ones, must be six feet or less in length.
Plans for Leash-Free Dog Parks:
Efforts stemming from a recent off-leash task force include development of conceptual design standards, possible funding sources and potential sites for off-leash dog parks in Sacramento County.
In 2003 the County of Sacramento Board of Supervisors directed Department of Regional Parks, Recreation and Open Space (County Parks) staff to work with interested cities, park and recreation districts, community service districts, the Sacramento Dog Owners Group, and other interested and appropriate stakeholder groups to form a regional task force to develop conceptual design standards, identify potential funding sources, and identify possible locations for off-leash dog recreation areas within the incorporated and/or unincorporated areas of the County of Sacramento. Read Full Dog Park Report
Efforts stemming from a recent off-leash task force include development of conceptual design standards, possible funding sources and potential sites for off-leash dog parks in Sacramento County.
In 2003 the County of Sacramento Board of Supervisors directed Department of Regional Parks, Recreation and Open Space (County Parks) staff to work with interested cities, park and recreation districts, community service districts, the Sacramento Dog Owners Group, and other interested and appropriate stakeholder groups to form a regional task force to develop conceptual design standards, identify potential funding sources, and identify possible locations for off-leash dog recreation areas within the incorporated and/or unincorporated areas of the County of Sacramento. Read Full Dog Park Report
Where can you take your dog for off-leash exercise in Sacramento County?
Please Don't Forget To Clean Up After Your Pet! Doggie waste stations with Mutt Mitts can be found at the following locations along the American River Parkway:
Arden Way
Estates Drive
Gold River
Jacob Lane
Kadema Drive
Mira Del Rio Drive
Paradise Beach
Rod Beaudry Drive
Sailor Bar
San Lorenzo Drive
Sarah Court
Sunrise Bridge Crossing
Please Don't Forget To Clean Up After Your Pet! Doggie waste stations with Mutt Mitts can be found at the following locations along the American River Parkway:
Arden Way
Estates Drive
Gold River
Jacob Lane
Kadema Drive
Mira Del Rio Drive
Paradise Beach
Rod Beaudry Drive
Sailor Bar
San Lorenzo Drive
Sarah Court
Sunrise Bridge Crossing
Sacramento City Dog Parks Information:
Mythbusters: Dogs Off Leash & Licensing
Published on July 17th, 2012
Myth: As long as it is “safe” and away from groups of people, I can have my dog off leash in City parks.
Fact: All dogs are required to be on a leash and licensed within the City of Sacramento (except at designated dog parks – see list below).
Did you know the City of Sacramento is home to great dog parks, with three of those located in right here in Natomas? While many pet owners can feel that under the right circumstances (few to no people around, a “well behaved” dog, etc) it is OK to let a dog run free off-leash at the park, our City code has some specific rules about what is and isn’t allowed.
Letting a dog off leash is not only a risk to the safety of the public, the safety of your dog, and the security of your finances (paying your own or someone else’s medical or veterinary bill, facing a lawsuit, etc), it is also expressly prohibited under Sacramento City Code 9.44.220, which states that no owner of any animal, wild or domestic (except for a domestic cat) shall permit the animal to be “at large”, which is defined as an animal that is off the premises of its owner and not under restraint by leash, tether or adequate enclosure.
Unfortunately, there have been incidents in which dogs have become aggressive, so unless a dog is on a leash, no owner can ever be sure that their dog will not attack (or be attacked) if it feels provoked.
For the safety of the public and the animals, the City’s Park Rangers are fully enforcing the leash law, with financial penalties for those who do not abide by the City’s codes. The penalty for the first offense starts at $300.00. Second and third offenses are $500.00 per dog off leash and three offenses or more in a 12 months period can result in charges of increasing severity. In addition, it’s important to make sure to have your pet licensed. In the City of Sacramento, a pet owner is required to purchase a license for a dog or a cat that is 4 months of age or older. According to city code 9.44.490(A), a license authorizes a person to own, harbor, and keep a dog or cat within the city limits of Sacramento. You can mail your application to the shelter or you can go in-person to the shelter’s Reception Center at 2127 Front Street, Wednesday – Sunday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Half of all licensing fees collected at the shelter are then dedicated to a special fund that may only be used for the City’s low income spay and neuter program. If you are licensing your pet for the first time, you will receive your pet’s license tag by mail or in-person. If you are renewing an existing license, you will simply re-use the original tag. If you have lost your pet’s tag, we can issue a replacement tag for $5. Also, if you stop by, ask about micro-chipping (just a one-time fee of $20, which includes the microchip registration) to help keep tabs on your four legged friends in case they get lost!
So make sure to keep your dog licensed and on a leash, even if you don’t see a sign posted at the park you may be visiting, and if you do see someone with their pet off leash in a non-sanctioned area such as a dog park, pick up the phone and dial 3-1-1 (or 916-264-5011 from a cell phone) so that a Park Ranger can be dispatched to address the issue.
North Natomas has some of the best dog parks in the region. All parks are fenced, with a double-gate system for safety. Not only do dog parks serve as a great neighborhood gathering place, they also provide an excellent opportunity for social interactions between dogs and owners, a great place to set doggy play dates, and allow dogs a chance to get adequate physical and mental exercise. Please see a list of the dog parks located in Natomas as well as a map of their locations. For other dog parks in the City of Sacramento or additional information, you can also visit:
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/parks/dogpark-information.htm
Sacramento City OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS
All department of parks and recreation dog parks are fenced, with a double-gate system for safety. Dog owners can test their arm strength and even use tennis ball launchers to get their dogs active and running in a safe and fun environment. Parks include: benches, shade areas, drinking fountains for dogs, and plenty of room to run. Dogs of all sizes are welcome.
Mythbusters: Dogs Off Leash & Licensing
Published on July 17th, 2012
Myth: As long as it is “safe” and away from groups of people, I can have my dog off leash in City parks.
Fact: All dogs are required to be on a leash and licensed within the City of Sacramento (except at designated dog parks – see list below).
Did you know the City of Sacramento is home to great dog parks, with three of those located in right here in Natomas? While many pet owners can feel that under the right circumstances (few to no people around, a “well behaved” dog, etc) it is OK to let a dog run free off-leash at the park, our City code has some specific rules about what is and isn’t allowed.
Letting a dog off leash is not only a risk to the safety of the public, the safety of your dog, and the security of your finances (paying your own or someone else’s medical or veterinary bill, facing a lawsuit, etc), it is also expressly prohibited under Sacramento City Code 9.44.220, which states that no owner of any animal, wild or domestic (except for a domestic cat) shall permit the animal to be “at large”, which is defined as an animal that is off the premises of its owner and not under restraint by leash, tether or adequate enclosure.
Unfortunately, there have been incidents in which dogs have become aggressive, so unless a dog is on a leash, no owner can ever be sure that their dog will not attack (or be attacked) if it feels provoked.
For the safety of the public and the animals, the City’s Park Rangers are fully enforcing the leash law, with financial penalties for those who do not abide by the City’s codes. The penalty for the first offense starts at $300.00. Second and third offenses are $500.00 per dog off leash and three offenses or more in a 12 months period can result in charges of increasing severity. In addition, it’s important to make sure to have your pet licensed. In the City of Sacramento, a pet owner is required to purchase a license for a dog or a cat that is 4 months of age or older. According to city code 9.44.490(A), a license authorizes a person to own, harbor, and keep a dog or cat within the city limits of Sacramento. You can mail your application to the shelter or you can go in-person to the shelter’s Reception Center at 2127 Front Street, Wednesday – Sunday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Half of all licensing fees collected at the shelter are then dedicated to a special fund that may only be used for the City’s low income spay and neuter program. If you are licensing your pet for the first time, you will receive your pet’s license tag by mail or in-person. If you are renewing an existing license, you will simply re-use the original tag. If you have lost your pet’s tag, we can issue a replacement tag for $5. Also, if you stop by, ask about micro-chipping (just a one-time fee of $20, which includes the microchip registration) to help keep tabs on your four legged friends in case they get lost!
So make sure to keep your dog licensed and on a leash, even if you don’t see a sign posted at the park you may be visiting, and if you do see someone with their pet off leash in a non-sanctioned area such as a dog park, pick up the phone and dial 3-1-1 (or 916-264-5011 from a cell phone) so that a Park Ranger can be dispatched to address the issue.
North Natomas has some of the best dog parks in the region. All parks are fenced, with a double-gate system for safety. Not only do dog parks serve as a great neighborhood gathering place, they also provide an excellent opportunity for social interactions between dogs and owners, a great place to set doggy play dates, and allow dogs a chance to get adequate physical and mental exercise. Please see a list of the dog parks located in Natomas as well as a map of their locations. For other dog parks in the City of Sacramento or additional information, you can also visit:
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/parks/dogpark-information.htm
Sacramento City OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS
All department of parks and recreation dog parks are fenced, with a double-gate system for safety. Dog owners can test their arm strength and even use tennis ball launchers to get their dogs active and running in a safe and fun environment. Parks include: benches, shade areas, drinking fountains for dogs, and plenty of room to run. Dogs of all sizes are welcome.
- Glenbrook Park (map)
8500 La Riviera Drive - Granite Regional Park (map)
8200 Ramona Avenue - Jacinto Creek Park (map)
8600 West Stockton Boulevard - Lynn Robie Dog Park (map)
- Attention: Grand Opening Event Flyer!
- 7895 Freeport Blvd.
- (at Bill Conlin Youth Sports Complex)
- The small dog park is 0.21 acres, and the large dog park is 1.34 acres. Both dog parks contain turf areas.
- North Natomas Regional Park (map)
2501 New Market Drive - Two acres are available for large dogs over 25 lbs, and a half acre for small and timid dogs.
- Partner Park (map)
5699 South Land Park Drive - located behind Belle Cooledge Community Center
- Regency Community Park (map)
5500 Honor Pkwy, North Natomas - Sutter's Landing Park (map)
20 28th Street - This 2.5 acre Park includes areas for large & small dogs.
- Tanzanite Community Park (map)
2220 Tanzanite Way - University Avenue Dog Park (map)
- 1900 University Avenue
- Valley Oak Dog Park (map)
- The small dog park is 0.54 acres, and the large dog park is 2.0 acres. Both dog parks contain turf areas, benches, tables and dog drinking fountains.
- Dog owners/handlers are personally and legally responsible for their animals. You are using these facilities at your own risk.
- Dogs may be off a leash only within the designated fenced area.
- Owners/handlers must clean up after their dogs.
- Dogs must have a current license, license must be on dogs' collar, the collar must be on the dog.
- Aggressive dogs are not allowed. The owner/handler of any dog exhibiting aggressive or unruly behavior are required to immediately remove the offending animal.
- For every two dogs brought to the park, there must be at least one owner/handler.
- Children less than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Female dogs in season are not allowed at the facility.
Additional references on this subject
The impacts of dogs on wildlife and water quality: A literature review Metro Parks and Nature, April 2016
"In summary, people and their dogs disturb wildlife, and people are not always aware of or willing to acknowledge the significance of their own impacts. Wildlife perceive dogs as predators. Dogs subject wildlife to physical and temporal displacement from habitat, and dog scent repels wildlife with lingering impacts. Dogs disturb wildlife which can induce long-term stress, impact animals’ immune system and reduce reproduction. Dogs spread disease to and outright kill wildlife. People with dogs are much more detrimental to wildlife than people alone; off-leash dogs are worse; and off-trail impacts are the highest."
To read this full review go to: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/dogs-hunting-policies and follow the link called “Read more about the science behind the policy.”
Should You Hike With Your Dog Off Leash? (from the 'How-to' Dog Blog)
Hint, lots of reasons not to from someone who knows why.
Summary of California Dog Laws
TO LEASH OR NOT TO LEASH?
Jul 07, 2015 | Posted by Forest Park Conservancy
This year Metro's Central Enhancement grant is funding our efforts to raise awareness around the impact of off-leash dogs on the environment. Park goers who encounter our community outreach volunteers and pledge to keep their dog on-leash in Forest Park take home a free Forest Park leash for their dog to flaunt on trail.
The impacts of dogs on wildlife and water quality: A literature review Metro Parks and Nature, April 2016
"In summary, people and their dogs disturb wildlife, and people are not always aware of or willing to acknowledge the significance of their own impacts. Wildlife perceive dogs as predators. Dogs subject wildlife to physical and temporal displacement from habitat, and dog scent repels wildlife with lingering impacts. Dogs disturb wildlife which can induce long-term stress, impact animals’ immune system and reduce reproduction. Dogs spread disease to and outright kill wildlife. People with dogs are much more detrimental to wildlife than people alone; off-leash dogs are worse; and off-trail impacts are the highest."
To read this full review go to: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/dogs-hunting-policies and follow the link called “Read more about the science behind the policy.”
Should You Hike With Your Dog Off Leash? (from the 'How-to' Dog Blog)
Hint, lots of reasons not to from someone who knows why.
Summary of California Dog Laws
TO LEASH OR NOT TO LEASH?
Jul 07, 2015 | Posted by Forest Park Conservancy
This year Metro's Central Enhancement grant is funding our efforts to raise awareness around the impact of off-leash dogs on the environment. Park goers who encounter our community outreach volunteers and pledge to keep their dog on-leash in Forest Park take home a free Forest Park leash for their dog to flaunt on trail.
Whenever we broach the subject of off-leash dogs in Forest Park, nearly everyone mentions an unpleasant experience they've had with an unleashed dog. This impulse seems to be true for dog owners and non-dog owners, leashers and non-leashers. But what rarely ever gets mentioned is the impact of off-leash dogs on the environment. If that's because people don't know the impacts, we want to change that. Below are some fun fact about dogs, Portland Parks, and the environment. But first, take a look how cute...
Fun Facts about Forests, Parks, and Fido
- Portland is home to 33 dog parks offering off-leash opportunities. (That's more per capita than any other city in the US!)
- Dogs that are off-leash and off-trail can stress wildlife to the point of malnutrition and even death.
- Forest Park is home to over 115 species of native birds, many of which make their nests on the ground. (Please, don't trample the babies.)
- Dogs that go off-trail poop off-trail. Dog waste is a major polluter of urban watersheds, which is bad news for people and wildlife. Portland's amphibians, like the Pacific Giant Salamander and Red Legged Frog, depend on Forest Park watersheds for survival.
- Seeds of some invasive plants like to hitch rides on dogs venturing off trail and then spread deeper into other parts of the forest.
- Did we mention it's the law to leash your dog (and scoop its poop) in Forest Park? Violators can be fined $150 per dog.
Todd Janssen from Go Beyond Racing, plus one more cute dog, looking good, doing the right thing
http://forestpark.businesscatalyst.com/tales-from-the-trails/to-leash-or-not-to-leash
http://forestpark.businesscatalyst.com/tales-from-the-trails/to-leash-or-not-to-leash
