Who sets the walking rules?
At the end of 2018, the Law “On the Responsible Treatment of Animals” was adopted, which partially establishes rules for walking dogs. A Soviet document dated 1981, the “Rules for keeping dogs and cats in cities and other settlements of the RSFSR”, is also still in force. There are practically no contradictions in them.
In addition, each municipality is free to establish its own rules for walking dogs and introduce liability for their violations. For example, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities have their own regulations. It is possible that local regulations will be reviewed in the near future, but they are still in force in their current form.
Do you need a leash and a muzzle?
According to the new law, animals must be on a leash or harness when crossing roads, in elevators, entrances, yards, on playgrounds or sports grounds — that is, in fact, outside special walking areas. A muzzle is not required; it should only be worn on dogs of potentially dangerous breeds. This list includes:
dogs whose breeding relied on increasing strength and aggression;
animals used for bullying;
Aboriginal breeds, the formation of which did not take into account loyalty to humans.
In total, the list includes 12 dog breeds and their mestizos: Akbash, American bandog, ambulldog, Brazilian bulldog, bully kutta, Alapakh purebred bulldog, bandog, wolf-dog hybrids, wolf dog, ghoul dong, pit bullmastiff and North Caucasian dog.
The law’s provision on potentially dangerous breeds will take effect on January 1, 2020.
At the same time, the 1981 regulatory act assumes that dogs older than three months old can be taken outside either on a short leash or with a muzzle.
In Moscow, a leash is required, and only evil animals are offered to wear a muzzle; in St. Petersburg, individuals over 40 centimeters tall at the withers are offered to wear a muzzle.
Do I have to clean up after my dog?
Yes, it is necessary to clean your pet’s waste products both on the street and in public areas if he is intolerant. There are no variations in regulations here.
Another question is where to throw these “waste products” away. Dog feces are low-risk waste. But there are different opinions as to whether they can be thrown into ordinary bins. On the one hand, the Veterinary and Sanitary Rules for the Collection, Disposal and Destruction of Biological Waste contain nothing about excrement. On the other hand, they are often equated with biological waste, so using an ordinary urn can be fined.
To prevent parasitic diseases, special containers for the disposal of excrement should be installed in places where dogs are walking. But in fact, there are either none or very few of them. The dog owner is in a questionable position: if you don’t clean up after the dog, you get a fine, if you remove it, you get a fine. In any case, of course, it is better to put it away and throw it into the urn. You can try to challenge the punishment for this.
Where can dogs be taken for a walk?
You can unfasten the leash and walk the animal on special platforms. It is up to the municipalities to decide where they are located. Accordingly, you need to contact the local administration to find out where you can go with your pet.
According to 1981 rules, if there is no special site, dogs can be walked in vacant lots. Local regulations are even more loyal. For example, in Moscow it is allowed to let a dog off a leash in uncrowded places. However, it is not specified which places are considered uncrowded.
Under the new law, it is possible to show up with a dog on a leash on a playground or sports ground. The 1981 regulations prohibit pets from staying in playgrounds, shops, canteens, and other public areas. Here, as in other cases where there is a contradiction, it is better to focus on the new law, as it has greater legal force.
Can anyone do this?
Federal laws do not say anything about this, but local authorities may have their own views on the situation. Thus, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, it is forbidden to go out with dogs drunk and children under 14 years of age.
When can dogs be taken for a walk?
The 1981 rules recommend going for a walk with your pet from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., so as not to make noise. Regional regulations bring this period of time into line with local “silence laws”.
Will I be punished if I break the rules?
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 to property. So if you don’t keep track of the dog, you will be obliged to compensate for the damage or even be criminally punished.
Administrative liability is provided for by local regulations. Look for it as a law or code <города федерального значения или региона> of administrative offences. It is usually available on the local legislature’s website.
Source: https://lifehacker.ru/pravila-vygula-sobak/
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