Portland, OR –Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and Portland Public Schools are encouraging dog owners to show good “petiquette” when visiting parks and schoolyards.
“Parks and schoolyards are used for many different kinds of play, from soccer to jogging to dodgeball to biking,” says Ali Ryan, who manages PP&R’s Dog Off-Leash Program. “The best ways dog owners can contribute to maintaining safe, healthy places for play are by keeping dogs on leash and removing pet waste.”
Off-leash dogs in sports fields, playgrounds, and other leash-only areas is an ongoing concern for many park and school visitors. By law, dogs are required to be on leash in all public spaces including parks and schoolyards. Pet waste must also be removed and disposed of properly. Pet owners who don’t leash and scoop risk citations of up to $150.
PP&R has 33 designated off-leash areas in parks throughout the city. Dogs on leash are welcome visitors to schoolyards during non-school hours and most parks, trails and natural areas.
“As year-round, all-weather users, dog owners can have a great, positive presence,” says PP&R Security Manager Art Hendricks. “But their presence is just as positive, and much safer for all park users and pets, when dogs are kept on leash.”
To report leash/scoop problems in parks, contact Portland Park Rangers at 503-823-1637. To report leash/scoop problems in schoolyards, contact Multnomah County Animal Services at 503-988-PETS (7387).
