$810 Fine for This Common Dog Activity Starting April 15 – Beware!

This common practice with dogs will soon be prohibited, carrying a hefty fine.

Neither too hot nor too cold, spring is the perfect season to enjoy some quality time with your pet. The weather is pleasant, allowing dogs to stretch their legs while their owners enjoy the sunshine. However, before heading out for a walk, there are several best practices and rules to be aware of. One of them can lead to a significant fine starting from April 15, 2025. From that date, taking your pet out will still be allowed, but there will be restrictions on where and how you can do so.

It will be strictly prohibited to take your dog into forests unless they are on a leash. “In woods and forests, it is forbidden to walk dogs off-leash from April 15 to June 30,” states the ordinance that has been enacted annually since 1955. And these aren’t the only places where off-leash walks are forbidden. “Cultivated or uncultivated lands, meadows, vineyards, orchards, woods, as well as marshes and along the edges of streams, ponds, and lakes,” are also included in the regulation. But why was this ordinance put into place?

This rule is enforced annually without exception to protect the rebirth of flora and fauna in the spring, which are vulnerable during this period. “These prohibitions aim to prevent the destruction of birds and game species and to promote their repopulation,” explains the official text on the public service website. A dog will be considered straying by authorities if it is no longer under the owner’s supervision and is “out of voice range for recall,” according to the ordinance. Additionally, a fine can also be imposed if the animal is found more than 100 meters away from the person responsible for it.

What are the actual risks? The legislation does identify two specific exceptions where off-leash walks are allowed. Dogs can roam freely as long as they are on a forest path. Be cautious if you are walking on simple trails, which are easily recognizable because they are much narrower than paths: these are definitely included in the regulation! You could therefore face a particularly steep fine: 750 euros! Naturally, dogs can also be off-leash during hunting or if they are herding livestock.