From this Monday, April 15, dog owners will be required to walk their pets on a leash when walking in the forest. The rule comes from a decree still in force, dating from March 16, 1955.
This decree was put in place to protect the reproduction of wild animals, particularly birds, which takes place during the spring period. In the event of non-compliance with these rules, the dog owner is liable to a fine of 750 euros. If this decree applies at the national level, mayors can ban dogs without a leash in their municipality. Several specific prohibitions exist, particularly in protected areas such as nature reserves. It is therefore recommended to obtain information to avoid a fine. The ban also applies to hunters, especially since the hunting period generally begins in September and ends around March, and hunters are not supposed to go into the forest to hunt game during the period affected by the ban. The decree is implemented each year from April 15 to June 30, but for this period it is more restrictive.