Mount Pleasant DC Forum

Joe

In his June report, ANC Jack McKay states that DC law requires dogs to be on leashes "no longer than four feet." That would be a very short leash, and I do not believe such a requirement exists. I have researched it, and could find no reference to such a law in DC or anywhere applying to ordinary dogs. (There is a "Dangerous Dog" statute requiring a four-foot leash for dogs who have been found to be vicious or dangerous. Maybe that is what Jack was referring to.) There is a national model for dog laws that recommends a leash "no longer than eight feet." Many leashes are six feet long, and that seems to work out reasonably well for most dogs, dog owners and the public in general. If Jack is wrong about this, maybe he could write a correction. If I am wrong, maybe he could let us know his source for this alleged "four-foot law."

jack · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 4399 Location: 19th & Lamont

DCMR 24, 900.4 The length of the leash required under §900.3 shall not exceed four feet (4 ft.).

Full dog regs attached. -- Jack

micmac · Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 354

How about 4 feet & a tail?

Joe · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject:

OK, I stand corrected.

momsi · Joined: 26 Jul 2011 Posts: 2

4ft leash is too short. I have a big dog and I need a longer leash.

jack · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 4399 Location: 19th & Lamont

Joe · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:33 am Post subject:

Standard leashes are six feet. This DC regulation is ridiculous, like many other regulations. But good luck in getting it changed. It is never enforced, but it can be used in case of some incident in which the police can say, the leash was illegal.

micmac · Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 354

They don't make 4 ft. leashes. They would have to be special ordered from the DC government.

momsi · Joined: 26 Jul 2011 Posts: 2

what was their basis for shortening dog leashes in DC?

jack · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 4399 Location: 19th & Lamont

Joe · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:09 pm Post subject:

There is a model municipal used by many towns and cities that specifies a six-foot leash for dogs. This model has been implemented in many places, but apparently not in Washington, DC.

Joe · Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

I meant to say a "model municipal code" in the previous post.

mtplover · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 3

A friend who lived in Mt P lost her dog when her housemate walked it on one of those "extendable leashes." Someone ran a stop sign and that was it. I consider it to be tragic, but also her fault for not keeping the dog close to her when she walked it in the city. So I can't really say I have a problem with walking a dog on a short leash in the city. It's a CITY.