Our neighbor often walks his dog without a muzzle. It’s not that I’m against the animal, but there are a lot of children in the yard, and the dog is a fighting breed. When the man was reprimanded, he reacted extremely aggressively, advising him to watch his children, and not his dog. As a result, I and several other mothers faced a completely logical question: where to complain about an obvious violation.
We found a way out of the situation and actually filed a complaint, but what became the basis for the complaint and what exactly the neighbor violated, readers will be able to find out in more detail if they read the article to the end.
Is liability provided for by law?
In most cases, owners of large animals comply with the requirements and provide all the necessary conditions for keeping dogs. Sometimes there are people who forget about others, become strongly attached to animals and neglect safety. As a result, injuries, bites and other troubles occur.
Not all dog owners know that a muzzle is required by law for their animals. This accessory is worn by the animal while walking to protect other people. Failure to wear a muzzle is a violation of the law and carries a serious fine. The fact of walking an animal without a muzzle can be recorded by authorized persons or ordinary citizens. Vigilant citizens file a complaint, and employees of the relevant organization already issue a fine. Veterinary clinic specialists must tell you in detail about the need to use a muzzle. Additional information can be obtained from the relevant legislation.
General rules for keeping and walking dogs
There are several conditions that must be observed by owners of large animals. Only in certain places can you walk dogs, and only with a leash and muzzle. By observing this simple requirement, you can easily avoid penalties.
There are other areas where walking with animals is strictly prohibited. We are talking about local areas and children's playgrounds. A number of rules exist for dog owners living in an apartment building, namely:
- keeping a dog in a “communal apartment” or in a hostel is allowed only with the consent of the administration;
- the animal must obey the owner and understand all commands;
- The owner must treat the dog with dignity and not harm it.
During a walk, the owner must put a leash and muzzle on the dog. For toy dogs, a standard carrier should be used. When crossing the road, it is necessary to lead the animal on a short leash, and if the dog shits, then you will need to clean up after it. The main requirement is that the animal must not harm others. Otherwise, the owner bears full responsibility for the incident.
Dog walking rules: are they worth knowing?
Every dog owner should know about the basic rules. It’s no secret that ignorance of the law does not exempt you from responsibility. Therefore, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the basic requirements. This way you can avoid a lot of problems.
What is allowed for dog owners?
Dog owners are allowed:
- walk pets in specially designated areas;
transport an animal in public transport, but only if you have all the equipment;- use a public elevator while keeping your pet on a leash;
- monitor the safety of your four-legged friend and others;
- let your dog off the leash in special areas for walking animals.
When can others file a police report?
This may be in the following cases:
- walking the animal in prohibited places without the necessary equipment;
- the dog attacks other animals or people;
- The dog barks at passers-by and scares them.
There is no need to look for a sample application. It is written in any form.
Additional conditions and rules for walking with a dog
Regulations on keeping and walking dogs are prescribed in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. There are several nuances that need to be taken into account:
- the dog is allowed to be released without a muzzle and a leash, but only in rural areas and on personal property;
- a sign must be placed on the fence that there is an animal inside;
- dogs can be walked only in special areas;
- Walking in green spaces and vacant lots is also allowed, but on the condition that those around you are ensured complete safety.
In addition, it is worth saying that walking an animal is prohibited for drunk and insane persons, as well as for children under 14 years of age. Not all cities have areas with signs where you can walk your dog and where you can’t.
What should you do if your neighbors walk their dog without a leash or muzzle?
We talk about how to influence pet owners who break the law.
— In our yard, neighbors often walk their Labrador dog not only without a muzzle, but also without a leash. There are children playing nearby on the playground, you never know what might pop into the animal’s head or suddenly bite. They don’t respond to comments, what should we do?
Previously, Kirov had its own municipal rules for keeping dogs and cats, but they were canceled by a decision of the City Duma in December 2021. Therefore, now walking pets in Kirov is regulated only by the Rules for keeping dogs and cats in cities and other populated areas of the RSFSR. This document was adopted back in 1981, but, according to employees of the Veterinary Department of the Kirov Region, it is still in force.
If followed, the dog owner must walk his pet on a short leash or with a muzzle. This measure is intended for the safety of both those around and the animal itself - products that could harm it will not get into the pet’s mouth through the muzzle. This already happened in February 2021, when several dog owners said their pets were poisoned.
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The Rules for Keeping Dogs and Cats do not regulate the punishment for such a violation. Previously, the punishment was prescribed in the local law “On Administrative Liability in the Kirov Region.” Article 4.4 stated that walking dogs in populated areas without leashes and muzzles, as well as leaving them unattended by their owners, entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of 1,000 to 3,000 rubles. However, the article became invalid in June 2021.
But do not despair: administrative liability for such a violation is prescribed in the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses. Thus, Article 10.6 of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for punishment for violation of animal quarantine rules or other veterinary and sanitary rules (these include the Rules for keeping dogs and cats in cities and other populated areas of the RSFSR). Penalties for citizens under this article range from 500 to 1000 rubles.
To bring the offender to justice, you must contact the police with evidence (preferably a photo or video). The police will establish the identity of the dog's owner, interview witnesses, and then send all materials for consideration of the case on the merits to the veterinary department of the Kirov region. There they will draw up a protocol and impose a fine under Article 10.6 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
Is it possible to walk dogs somewhere without a leash and muzzle?
You can, but only on a special walking area. True, judging by the data from 2GIS Kirov, there are only two such sites in Kirov - in Kochurovsky Park and in the village of Sadakovsky.
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The rules of external improvement in force in Kirov state that dog owners can contact their management company or HOA and ask to equip an area for walking animals in the yard. To do this, it is necessary that the residents of the house decide that such a platform is needed, and most importantly, that there is a place for it.
Then, at the request of the owners, the management company, guided by the standards and SanPiN, will determine where such a site can or cannot be installed. If everything is normal, there will be a place for walking. However, it is worth mentioning that the site is organized at the expense of the residents themselves. It will be completely fenced so that pets do not disturb others, and you can also install a container for animal waste on it. Dog owners will also be responsible for keeping the area clean.
In addition, you can walk animals without a leash in a well-fenced area, for example, on your own plot of land. However, do not forget to place a warning sign at the entrance. This is reported in paragraph 1.7 of the Rules for keeping dogs and cats in cities and other populated areas of the RSFSR.
And now about the main thing - briefly:
- Dog owners must walk their pets on a short leash or muzzle. This is provided for by the Rules for keeping dogs and cats in cities and other populated areas of the RSFSR.
- For violation, the dog owner bears administrative liability in the amount of 500-1000 rubles.
- To bring the offender to justice, contact the police with photo and video evidence.
- Without a short leash or muzzle, you can walk dogs only in a well-fenced area or a special area.
If you have questions that you cannot find answers to, ask us and we will definitely take them into development.
Photo: pixabay.com
What liability is provided for violating the current rules?
For violation of Russian legislation, liability may be administrative or criminal. According to the law, the amount of fines depends on the type of offense, namely:
| Amount of penalty, in rubles | What is the fine for? |
| 1000 — 2000 | Walking the dog without a leash in public gardens and parks. |
| Walking an animal on the territory of a childcare facility. | |
| 500 — 1000 | Traveling on public transport without the necessary equipment. |
| 1000 — 2000 | Being at a retail outlet without special accessories. |
| Lack of municipal permission to keep an animal in a “dorm” or “communal apartment”. | |
| 2000 — 5000 | Incitement against other citizens. |
| 2000 — 2500 | Carrying out dog fights. |
| 1000 — 2000 | The dog pooped in a forbidden place. |
| 2000 — 2500 | Keeping an animal in dangerous conditions. |
| Using animal fur and dog meat for food. |
The fine is assigned individually, taking into account the severity of the crime committed. Much depends on the region where the owner lives. For example, in Moscow the fine can be significantly higher.
Responsibility for violating walking rules
Walking dogs without a leash or muzzle is subject to administrative or criminal liability.
According to current legislation, the amount of fines is determined as follows:
| Reason for the fine | Amount of fine, rubles |
| for walking with an animal without reason in green areas, squares | 1 – 2 thousand |
| for walking on the territory of children's institutions | 1 – 2 thousand |
| without a leash or muzzle in a vehicle | 500 rubles – 1 thousand. |
| without a leash and muzzle at a retail outlet | 1 – 2 thousand |
| keeping dogs in communal apartments or dormitories without permission from neighbors and administration | 1 – 2 thousand |
| for inciting people | 2 – 5 thousand |
| for dog fighting | 2 – 2.5 thousand |
| if the dog shits in an unauthorized place | 1 – 2 thousand |
| for keeping a dog in life-threatening conditions | 2 – 2.5 thousand |
| using its wool as fur and its meat for food | 2 – 2.5 thousand |
The amount of the fine is determined individually depending on the severity of the offense committed and the region of residence of the dog. For example, in Moscow such fines are much higher than in the regions or abroad.
Where to file a complaint?
Citizens suffering from violations of current legislation are interested in the question of where to complain about a dog without a muzzle. It happens that a person sees that another citizen is walking his animal without a leash and muzzle, however, he has no idea what authorities should contact in order to achieve a result.
You should contact local authorities with a complaint, but to ensure that the complaint is not unfounded, it is best to confirm it with photographs, video footage or collect signatures from other residents.
You can submit an application to the local police officer, who is obliged to deal with the violator of public order and bring him to administrative responsibility. The most important thing for a citizen is to correctly draft an appeal, outlining the current situation as accurately as possible and confirming it with available facts. You shouldn’t be overly emotional, you just need to explain in detail how the matter happened.
The main condition that must be met is that you can complain if there is a violation. If a citizen is sure that the law has been violated, then he can contact the relevant authorities with a complaint, but if this is not the case, then there is no need to alarm the district police officer or local authorities, since no fine will be issued. Moreover, the citizen who applied may be held liable.
Conclusion
A dog is considered man's best friend; one should not mistake it for a highly intelligent creature that is capable of independently controlling its actions. This is absolutely not true and any dog lives according to the will of its instincts. The owner of the animal must understand that if the rules and procedures for dog walking established by law are not followed, even the most harmless walk can end in tragedy. To avoid trouble, you should strictly adhere to the provisions of the current legislation and walk your dog strictly in a muzzle and on a leash.
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About the author: Anna Aleksandrovna Maksimenkova
Practicing veterinarian in a private clinic. Directions: therapy, oncology, surgery. Read more about me in the “About Us” section.
Where to file a complaint?
Every citizen who believes that the owner of an animal is violating the established rules can file a complaint. Such an appeal is submitted to local authorities, but in order for measures to be taken, it is necessary to support your application with facts.
It is advisable to attach a photo or video of the violation to the document. The complaint can be sent to the district police officer, who is obliged to understand the situation. You should not react overly emotionally to the situation, but rather explain your position.
