As we all are trying to spend as much time outside as we can, and holding onto the last days of outdoor weather, what has become a notable is the lack of following leash laws in public areas.
As a dog owner, you may completely believe your dog is friendly. However, the rest of us do not know your dog and it is especially distressing to watch as someone’s unleashed dog approaches a small child as the owner yells from the other side of the park,
“It’s okay, she’s friendly.”
Listen, I love dogs, have grown up with dogs and I know you love your dogs. I am not dogging on your dog. We are a dog town and I appreciate that about living in Flagstaff. However, with a young son who has had some challenging experiences with dogs who were off-leash and is now deathly afraid of dogs due to these experiences, it has become an issue for our family and as I have discovered, for others as well.
The Arizona Revised Statute requires dogs to always be on a leash when not in the confines of the private property.
A.R.S. 11-1012 D, No person in charge of any dog shall permit such dog in a public park or upon any public school property unless the dog is physically restrained by a leash, enclosed in a car, cage or similar enclosure or being exhibited or trained at a recognized kennel club event, public school or park sponsored event.
Please Flagstaff, leash your dogs for everyone’s protection, including your own.
It is the law.
If you need to let your dogs off-leash, there are a variety of dog parks around town that are made and maintained for just that.
