Comments on: Who Let The Dogs Off-Leash?

By: ken

ken — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:29:16 +0000

I started going to the minneapolis dog parks with a friends dog - without a license, and had no problem for about a year. Then I got a dog, and risked it for another 6 months. Then we got busted.

We were only fined for not having an off-leash license: $75.
The "kind" officer let us off without charging the fine for not having a dog licensed with the city on Minneapolis: $125

So, you can risk it, but you could get nailed for $200. If you are going to risk it, it's best to avoid reeeeeaally nice days. If the weather has been crummy, and then there's suddenly a nice day... that's when the enforcers seem to show up. Usually they bring two people, and enter from both ends of the park - at least the one in NE Minneapolis.

I haven't seen enforcement at the Minnehaha park, but it's so huge that it would be harder to catch someone, you could probably just ignore your dog and keep walking until you're away from the officer.

By: Ferocious J

Ferocious J — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:29:34 +0000

I also recommend the airport “dog park.” On a good day (e.g., Sunday afternoons when the weather is nice) there are as many as 100 dogs and their owners there. We loved going there with our dogs (my lab tore his ACL and so is no longer a good candidate for dog parks). But, please, do the right thing and bring plastic bags and pick up after your dog. It’s a big, open space that is completely self-regulated by the visitors, so do your part to keep it nice to come back to.

By: spaceman

spaceman — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:42:45 +0000

Glad to hear it.

As for getting fined, I used to see patrols all the time three/four years ago, but can't remember the last time I've seen one at the Franklin or Minnehaha dog parks (the all-enclosed Franklin one would be decent for your shiba inu). Makes me wonder what the fees are being spend for.

Also, on the St. Paul side, another non-official dog spot during the winter only is the Town & Country golf course -- you know off Marshall Ave, where all the kids go sledding. It is awesome skiing & snowshoeing during the winter, and no one has ever said anything about having dogs run loose there.

By: Mpls Simpleton

Mpls Simpleton — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:40:28 +0000

I haven't ever licensed my dog but he never leaves the fenced yard without a leash and we don't dog park since he is rather wee and fragile I would be afraid of some bigger dog breaking him. He is up on his shots although he needs a pedicure badly!

By: Mpls Simpleton

Mpls Simpleton — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:32:43 +0000

A license will not find a pet nearly as fast as getting your pet Chipped with a Home Again chip. For less than $100 you can get your pet chipped and a life time registration to the service. Nearly every animal control person, vet, shelter has a scanner and they use them. Plus if your pet loses his collar the license is worthless.

Yesterday was SPAY DAY USA. If you haven't had your pet spayed or neutered please consider doing this. It makes for healthier pets that live longer and have fewer behavioral problems.

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:28:31 +0000

I take my dog to the airport dog park about 3 times a week. It is one of the only parks that you can go to without paying for the off leash permit. It is nice for me because I sometimes have foster dogs that are not licensed at all. This year I am going to pay for the other parks because the Minnehaha Park is close for me and really nice. It is worth trying the airport dog park – without the risk of being fined – to see if you want to pay to go to the other parks. At other parks, I have heard of people being fined if they do not have a permit – I am not sure how much. I went once without a permit, but would not make a habit out of it.

By: mcp

mcp — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:20:22 +0000

an eminently reasonable set of reasons, spaceman. i’m generally in favor of responsibility, so i’ll be getting a license once i pull together his vet records for the rabies vaccination and neutering.

By: Dan Heilman

Dan Heilman — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:17:50 +0000

I believe that you would have to license your dog in St. Paul but then would be able to use Minneapolis parks for free.

A permit for Minneapolis's off-leash parks is $50 a year, (info here), along with proof of license and rabies vaccination. Now's a good time to get one, because the permits run February-to-February.

I've never gotten pinched for not having a tag, but before I got one, I would make sure to enter the Minnehaha off-leash park via the bike trail whenever I saw an Animal Control van in the parking lot.

By: spaceman

spaceman — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:12:19 +0000

primarily, for the sake of your dog, if it should get lost, you can be reunited in an embrace that would rival a scene out of a Nora Ephron flick.

second, if you are using the dog parks, I want to see a license on your dog and others so I know they have had their shots and – presumably – are being taken care of when they are interacting with my dog (and me).

By: mcp

mcp — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:48:50 +0000

tell me more about this responsibility. i’m not saying i’m not willing to get a license for my dog, but he’s been vaccinated against rabies and fixed, so what does paying the state do other than pay the state?