The whys of dog leashing

Mar 04, 2024

By [email protected] | on August 03, 2023

ARCATA – It is important to keep dogs leashed on city trails, parks and land. The safety of personal pets, the pets of others and wildlife can be affected by whether dogs are kept leashed. The City of Arcata recently approved the development of a small dog park in order to provide an off-leash area for dogs within the city!

Here are five reasons to leash dogs on public land during National Dog Month and every time after:

1. Keeping dogs on a leash isn’t just good practice – it’s the law in the City of Arcata (Arcata Municipal Code Section 10008). While out walking or hiking on city trails in the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, Redwood Park or the Arcata Community Forest, dogs must always be on a sturdy leash under six feet long.

Please remember that dogs are not permitted in the downtown business district of Arcata including the Arcata Plaza. When planning on visiting the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, the city recommends visiting the Farmers’ Market without a dog and instead taking canine pals on one of many nearby public trails.

2. Leashes protect dogs from becoming lost; a lost dog can scare wild animals, interfere with nesting birds and may even injure, or sometimes kill, wildlife. Additionally, when a dog has a leash and collar it is a great way to let other people know that the dog belongs to someone in the case of separation. It is important for a dog’s collar to have an ID tag with basic contact information such as the dog’s name, owner’s name and a phone number. It is also required by the City that all dog owners pay an annual license tax, more information can be found at cityofarcata.org/401/Dog-Licenses.

3. Leashing a dog can also prevent the spread of disease. Pet waste is a health risk because it is full of bacteria that can make pets, people and wildlife sick. It is less likely that a dog will be exposed to distemper or parvovirus if they can be restrained from sniffing waste from other dogs or wildlife. It is also easier for owners to locate pet waste when dogs are on a leash. The owner can then pick waste up and appropriately dispose of it in the trash. Doggie pot stations are located at many of the city trails and parks.

4. A leashed dog is much easier to control. In case there is an emergency owners can quickly get their dogs to safety if they are leashed. For instance, if one encounters another dog or wildlife it is easier to steer the leashed dog away if one of them becomes aggressive. It is also important to work on recall with dogs, so if they do get loose they will come back just by calling them.

5. An unleashed dog can cause accidents or be in an accident. When on a frequently used trail or in an area with cars, an unleashed dog can run in front of a runner, cyclist or car. This can cause injury to the dog or a person that could otherwise be avoided.

6. An honorary point for cats: Many people now bring cats into public parks, trails and land on a leash or in a cat backpack/stroller. One tip to prevent cats from getting loose and becoming lost is to have the cat harnessed and leashed even if they are in a backpack or stroller. This way they can be easily caught by their leash if they get loose. Additionally, make sure the zippers are fully closed and locked (a zipper security clip attached to both zippers is extremely effective). The same points from above apply to cats in terms of safety from other animals, pet waste and ID tags, however cat owners are not required to pay a licensing fee.

For more information, please visit cityofarcata.org or call (707) 822-8184.