Leash Law


The Los Angeles Municipal Code states:
Sec. 53.06. No person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any animal, except cats which are not in heat or season, shall cause, permit or allow the animal to stray, run, or in any manner to be at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk or park, except as otherwise expressly provided in section 63.44 of this Code, or in the bed of the Los Angeles River or upon any unenclosed lot or land.
Sec. 53.06.02. (a) Every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall keep such dog exclusively upon his own premises provided, however, that such dog may be off such premises if it be under the control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length, or under the control of a competent person on a dog exercise or training area established pursuant to section 633.44 of this Code.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, every violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be punishable as an infraction as follows:
1. Upon a first conviction, by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25).
2. Upon a second conviction, and the offense occurred within one year of a prior violation of this section which resulted in a conviction, by a fine of forty-five dollars ($45)
3. Upon a third or subsequent conviction, and the offense occurred within one year of a prior violation of this section which resulted in a second or subsequent conviction, by a fine of sixty-five dollars ($65)




What the dog owners don't realize, in their zeal to let their pets run free is that the leash is the last ditch control the owner has over the canine.  Even if the canine is well trained, they can get spooked by a person, car, or any outside influence and run into traffic or bite. Biting is a dog's first line of defense after growling or bearing teeth.  A scared dog is a loose cannon and is unpredictable. What I'm seeing is; if the law is un-enforced others let their dogs off-leash. In the area around North Westdale approximately 10 different dogs roam off-leash.  When the Police and Animal Control don't enforce the law the number grows.

- Anonymous Neighbor
9/6/05


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