May 15, 2012 – Denver’s Animal Care & Control, Parks and Recreation, and Denver Police are teaming up to help ensure the safety of people and pets in city parks this summer.  As part of this effort, the city will increase park patrols and enforcement of dog off-leash violations beginning June 1.

 “There have been several attacks lately by off-leash dogs, and this has been an ongoing issue in many of our parks for years,” says Doug Linkhart, Manager of Environmental Health, Animal Care & Control. “The city has put a lot of effort into increasing dog parks, and we’d like to encourage people to use them.”

 “At this time of year when we see more and more people taking advantage of Denver’s great park spaces, our responsibility to keep the parks safe for all citizens by enforcing these leash laws is something we take very seriously,” said Lauri Dannemiller, Manager of Denver Parks.

 As part of the stepped up enforcement, residents are encouraged to report specific problem areas to animalcomments@denvergov.org, or by calling 311.

Denver city ordinance requires dogs to be on a leash and under control of their owner at all times. The city’s leash laws are intended to protect the health and safety of both the people and pets that enjoy visiting Denver’s many parks and open areas.

 In 2009, the Parks and Recreation undertook a comprehensive effort to gather input about the need for off-leash dog areas. As a result, Parks & Recreation implemented a Dog Park Master Plan. The city now hasten dog parks for dog owners to safely and legally enjoy, including:

• Berkeley Dog Park – Sheridan and West 46th
• Barnum Dog Park – Hooker and West 5th
• Kennedy Dog Park – Hampden and South Dayton
• Josephine Dog Park – Josephine and 16th Avenue 
• Fuller Dog Park – Franklin and East 29th
• Green Valley Ranch East Dog Park – Jebel and East 45th
• Stapleton – East 24th Avenue and Syracuse Street
• Railyard Dog Park – 19th Avenue and Little Raven Street
• Lowry Dog Park – East 4th Place and South Yosemite Way
• Parkfield Dog Park – 53^rd Ave and Chambers Road

The fine for having an off-leash dog is $80 for the first offense, $150 for the second and $300 for the third.

For more information about Denver’s leash law, visit www.denveranimalshelter.org. To view locations of Denver’s dog parks, visit Denver Parks and Recreation.