WASHINGTON — The greater Washington, D.C. area is known to be pet-friendly, but a lot of people on social media say their neighbors often take it too far.
A Reddit thread about dog owners who refuse to put their pets on a leash had more than 140 comments, nearly all from people with similar concerns or stories about bad encounters with off-leash dogs.
QUESTION
Does the greater Washington, D.C. area require dogs to be on leashes in public spaces?
SOURCES
ANSWER
Yes, Washington, D.C. and its surrounding counties have leash laws regarding dogs.
WHAT WE FOUND
All the major municipalities surrounding Washington, D.C. join the District in having leash laws for dogs.
Dogs are not required to be on a leash or restraint when on their own property or in a designated, fenced-in dog park.
The City of Alexandria and Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William, and Prince George’s counties also make exceptions for formal obedience training classes, field drills, and/or hunting.
Washington, D.C. gets specific in its leash law by mandating that leashes be four feet long or shorter. Likewise, the National Park Service puts a six-foot limit on leashes.
If you are caught letting your dog off-leash, the smallest punishment you could face is in Alexandria. The city will fine dog owners $50 if the dog is in a general public space, or $100 if found in a city park or playground.
Washington, D.C. has the most expensive fine, at $300, as well as up to 10 days in jail. Montgomery County is the only other nearby municipality that can punish pet owners with jail time, and a violation there carries a maximum sentence of 30 days behind bars.