Are Pet Dogs Allowed in Public Parks?

As a pet parent, particularly if you are living in an apartment, it is natural for you to hope there are some good dog parks in your city. While India has a few dog parks, Tamilnadu is yet to open a park for dogs. The next available option is public parks...or, is the option really available?

Are Pet Dogs Allowed in Public Parks in India?

To answer in one word, "Yes". No one can deny your pet the pleasure of visiting public parks in India. 

According to the guidelines issued by Animal Welfare Board of India:

• Pets cannot be banned from visiting public parks if they are duly leashed and being walked by adults.
• Boards outside public parks that announce "Dogs/Pets are strictly prohibited from entering the park" or make any other announcement similar to this should be removed. 
• Specific timings can be allotted for pets visit and the timings should not only be reasonable but also be reasonably long enough for all pet parents in the neighborhood to visit the park with their pets.
• Garbage cans for pets' excreta should be placed in the park. It is the duty of pet family to clean up after their pets and deposit the excreta in garbage cans.
•  The leash of the pets should not be longer than 6 feet in length.
• Muzzles cannot be insisted upon by public park management. However, owners are advised to act based on their pet's nature  and use muzzle if need be.

Benefits of Taking Your Dog to Parks

Dogs love visiting parks. Parks are a great stimulation to them, physically and mentally.

1) Being out in an open space, amidst nature, gives dogs a sense of freedom. Their curiosity kindled, they explore the world around them with all eagerness and excitement.

In the pic below, a streetie is walking at a leisurely pace; it looked like the entire area belonged to the furry pal.

2) Breeze stimulates dogs' senses. Breeze brings loads of scents your pet's way and if a given day is breezy, your little one will not want to return home anytime soon.

3) Parks have an endless list of interesting things to offer to your pet including other animals and birds to watch. The sight of other animals and the sounds of birds stimulate them greatly. 

4) Not just the sounds of birds, interactions between humans can also trigger your pet's interest. Chezhi is drawn towards humans interacting with each other, both loud as well as soft voices. There is a difference though. She would simply stand and listen to those who converse loudly but try to move towards those who speak softly. And parks with walkers offer plenty of these.

May be she says, "I am not eavesdropping, still...."

5) Surprises are aplenty for your pet and you as well while on a leisure walk in public parks. You may come across your friend but nothing can beat the happiness of pet friends that meet each other unexpectedly. 

6) Moisture in the air following rains makes walking amidst nature more enjoyable for dogs as scents stay stronger and longer. If you have a park in your neighborhood, you may want to take your pet after rains to let her get a thorough sniff job done. Parks with other species can be a great stimulation for dogs after rains.

Waiting for my go-ahead signal...

Specific plants and flowers are more inviting for your pets even on a busy street. Forget jogging for a moment and let's at least have a look at what cannot be smelled from close quarters.

Maara, if allowed to have his way, may have been on the other side in a jiffy

Chezhi feels bad when we ask her to get off

To make public park visits enjoyable for your pet and yourself while ensuring comfort for walkers, you may want to consider these:

• Size up the population of walkers before you take your pet on walkers' path in public parks. In public parks that do not have a specific time for pets, it is on you to choose a time where visitors would be less in number.
• Keep your pet on leash while in public parks. 
• Train your pet not to relieve in public parks. In case your little one accidentally does relieve, cleaning up after her would be the most appropriate thing to do.