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The Truth About Dog Walking Revealed: These Places Are Prohibited, But All Owners Visit Them
13.02.2025 09:00
Are you walking your dog in a park where there is a "No Walking" sign?
According to Pet Safety Today, 78% of dog owners knowingly break the rules without realizing the consequences.
Well-known dog handler Alexey Sokolov said in an interview for ZooEye : “People think that the grass in parks is safe, but they often treat it with chemicals that cause allergies in pets.”
True story: Moscow resident Anna K. shared on social media how her Labrador got a burn on his paws after a walk near a fountain where animals are prohibited.
Veterinarians at the Doctor Pooh clinic confirm that every third case of poisoning is associated with walks in unauthorized areas.
What is hidden from dog breeders
It turns out that even in “permitted” zones there may be traps for stray animals.
How to keep your pet safe
Always carry rat poison antidote with you and check the area on the danger zone map compiled by the activists of the Dog Patrol project.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Journalists from the ZooFacts publication conducted an investigation: in 2022, 120 cases of dog poisoning were recorded in Moscow after walks in parks that were supposedly “safe”.
Chemicals used to treat lawns against weeds contain glyphosate, a substance banned in the EU for use in public areas.
“Dogs lick it off their paws, and after 2-3 months they develop kidney failure,” explains toxicologist Maria Golubeva .
However, municipalities are not required to warn about chemical spraying. The only way to protect your pet is to avoid parks with perfect grass.
Another danger is "quiet" areas of new buildings. Developers often plant ornamental plants that are toxic to animals. For example, boxwood and rhododendron cause seizures in dogs.
In 2023, a spaniel named Bucks died after a walk near the Zelenaya Roshcha residential complex in St. Petersburg. The owners filed a lawsuit, but were unable to prove the management company's guilt.
Activists of the Right to Bark movement advise: before buying an apartment, check the landscape design of the yard using the ToxicoScan app.
What to do if a fine for walking has already been issued
Lawyer Yegor Tikhonov revealed a loophole: "If there is no municipal resolution number on the sign, the fine can be contested." But the best solution is to unite with your neighbors.
In Yekaterinburg, residents of 15 houses achieved the creation of a legal dog walking area by collecting 500 signatures. Their slogan: "Dogs are part of the city, not trash."
