How to walk your dog properly

Who sets the rules for walking?

At the end of 2018, the Law on Responsible Treatment of Animals was adopted, which partially sets out the rules for walking dogs. Also, the Soviet document from 1981 is still in force - "Rules for keeping dogs and cats in cities and other settlements of the RSFSR". There are practically no contradictions in them.

In addition, each municipality is free to establish its own rules for walking dogs and impose responsibility for their violations. For example, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities have their own regulations. It is possible that in the near future local regulations will be revised, but for now they are in effect.

Do you need a leash and muzzle?

According to the new law, the animal must be on a leash or harness when crossing roads, in elevators, entrances, yards, on playgrounds or sports grounds - that is, in fact, outside of special places for walking. A muzzle is not required, it should only be worn on dogs of potentially dangerous breeds. This list includes:

dogs, breeding of which relied on increasing strength and aggression;
animals used for bullying;
aboriginal breeds, in the formation of which loyalty to a person was not taken into account.

There are 12 breeds of dogs and their mestizos in the list: Akbash, American Bandog, Ambulldog, Brazilian Bulldog, Bully Kutta, Alapakh Purebred Bulldog, Bandog, wolf-dog hybrids, wolfdog, gul dong, pit bullmastiff and North Caucasian dog.

The provision of the law regarding potentially dangerous breeds will take effect from January 1, 2020.

At the same time, the 1981 normative act suggests that dogs older than three months can be taken out on the street either on a short leash or in a muzzle.

In Moscow, a leash is required, and the muzzle is suggested to be worn only by vicious animals, in St. Petersburg - to individuals more than 40 centimeters high at the withers.

Do I need to clean up after the dog?

Yes, it is necessary to clean up the pet's waste products both on the street and in public places if he is underdeveloped. There are no variations in regulations here.

Another question is where to dispose of these "waste products". Dog faeces are classified as low-hazard waste. But there are different opinions as to whether they can be thrown into ordinary trash cans. On the one hand, there is nothing about excrement in the Veterinary and Sanitary Rules for the collection, disposal and destruction of biological waste. On the other hand, they are often equated with biological waste, so they can be fined for using a regular waste bin.

For the prevention of parasitic diseases, special containers for disposal of excrement should be installed in places where dogs are walking. But in reality they are either not, or very few. The owner of the dog is in a precarious position: if you don't clean up after the dog - a fine, if you clean it up - a fine. In any case, of course, it is better to clean it up and throw it into the trash can. You can try to challenge the punishment for this.

Where can I walk my dogs?

You can unfasten the leash and walk the animal on special platforms. Where they are located is decided by the municipalities. Accordingly, you need to find out where you can go with your pet at the local administration.

According to the rules of 1981, if there is no special site, you can walk the dogs in wastelands. Local regulations are even more loyal. For example, in Moscow, a dog is allowed to be released from a leash in poorly populated places. However, what places are considered to be sparsely populated is not specified.

Under the new law, it is possible to appear with a dog on a leash on a playground or playground. The 1981 rules prohibit the stay of animals in playgrounds, shops, canteens and other public places. Here, as in other cases where a contradiction arises, it is better to focus on the new law, since it has greater legal force.

Can anyone do it?

Federal laws do not say anything about this, but local authorities may have their own views on the situation. So, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, it is forbidden to go out with dogs drunk and children under 14 years old.

When can I walk my dogs?

The 1981 rules advise you to go for a walk with your pet from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. so as not to make noise. Regional regulations align this time span with local “silence laws”.

If I break the rules, will I be punished?

According to federal law, when walking a dog, its owner is responsible for the safety of others and the safety of their property.

The Civil Code of the Russian Federation also equates the animal itself with property. So if you don't follow the dog, you will be obliged to pay damages or even incur criminal penalties.

Administrative responsibility is provided by local regulation. Look for it as a law or code of administrative violations. It is usually found on the website of the local legislature.