Responsibility for dog walking without a muzzle since 2020

The content of the article

• Legislative changes on keeping and walking pets
• What dogs cannot be walked without a muzzle
• Where can I walk a dog?
• What places are not allowed to walk
• Punishment and Penalties
• Where to complain about violation of dog walking rules

Being on the street with a pet, the owner is obliged to ensure the safety of people around them, their property and the pet itself. Using a leash and a muzzle ensures that even a very aggressive dog cannot harm anyone.

Legislative changes on keeping and walking pets

According to the rules, which entered into force on January 1, 2020, the owner must:

• Do not walk dogs of separate breeds without a muzzle.
• Fasten the leash to the animal when crossing the carriageway, next to sports and playgrounds, moving in the elevator, staircase and in the yard.
• Walking your pet only in places specially designated for this by the municipality.
• Clean up waste products left by a dog on the street.
• Alone walking no more than two pets at once.
• Register the animal in accordance with the law. Attach a special tag tag to the collar that contains the necessary information and allows you to determine the owner.
• On a walk with a dog, be sober and adequately control its behavior. For example, fasten the leash if necessary..

Separate restrictions relate to the age of persons who can walk the pet. At the federal level, this is not regulated, but Moscow law prohibits children under 14 years old to take dangerous breeds or large (over 15 kg) dogs on the street alone. On such walks, an adult must be nearby.

What dogs cannot be walked without a muzzle

The Ministry of the Interior has compiled a list of 12 breeds. Their representatives are distinguished by a genetic predisposition to aggression. These animals are considered dangerous to humans. For example, this is akbash, pit bullmastiff, American bandog. In addition, the penalty for walking dogs without a muzzle extends to cases when the weight of the animal exceeds 15 kg. The breed does not matter.

Separate restrictions on pet walking are introduced by regional legislation. For example, the Moscow Code of Administrative Offenses provides for penalties if the owner does not put a muzzle on the animal when visiting markets, beaches, shops or using public transport.

Where can I walk a dog?

This territory should be removed or isolated by a fence from public places, especially if they are intended for children (sandboxes, playgrounds). Regardless of the place of walking and the breed, the owner must clean up animal waste products. For this purpose, he needs to take a scoop and a plastic garbage bag to the street..

Dogs of non-hazardous breeds are allowed to walk without a muzzle in such places:

• vacant lots, beams, other green areas;
• equipped sites equipped with a reliable fence;
• suburban parks, if the safety of the people present there is ensured.

Even being in a place allowed for walking, a dog of a dangerous breed should be in a muzzle. The exception is the territory belonging to the owner himself and fenced on all sides by a fence, for example, a garden plot near the cottage.

What places are not allowed to walk

1. Yards of houses, sites located at a distance of less than 30 meters from the entrances.
2. Venues for public events (concerts, holidays, rallies).
3. Beaches.
4. Cemeteries.
5. The territory of medical and educational institutions, cultural and sports institutions.

Punishment and Penalties

The main penalties are provided for by the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses (CAO RF). Penalties can be imposed both on the owners of animals and on organizations that own the dog:

Regional legislation may supplement federal legislation and introduce penalties. For example, in Moscow, punishment is provided if the owner is in public transport with a dog of any breed without a muzzle. They can be fined 1000–2000 rubles.

Where to complain about violation of dog walking rules

Any citizen who has witnessed this fact has the right to report the incident. The appeal is addressed to the local inspector or to the local government. The statement may be supported by testimonies of other citizens, photo or video materials. It is advisable to indicate information about the owner of the animal – his surname, name and address.

Law enforcement agencies will check on the complaint. If the facts are confirmed, then the perpetrator may be held liable for violating the rules of dog walking. It will be fined or other measures applied..