As of: March 27, 2024, 6:59 a.m
By: Karolin Schaefer
Comments
Press
Split
There are no uniform rules for keeping dogs on a leash in forests.
From April onwards, in some federal states, four-legged friends must be kept on a leash.
Munich - They are considered man's best friend: According to the pet supplies industry association, more than ten million dogs live in German households.
Walking is one of the daily tasks of a dog owner.
While in some federal states dogs are allowed to run freely temporarily or all year round, in others they must be kept on a leash.
Closed season begins in April: where dogs then have to be on a leash
In principle, there is no uniform regulation regarding leash requirements in Germany.
The municipalities decide this themselves. However, owners must ensure that they have the animal under control.
It is not allowed to roam or poach.
If animals in the forest are endangered by the dog, those authorized to hunt are allowed to shoot the animal if necessary.
There is also a risk of a fine, in Bavaria this can be up to 5,000 euros for violations in hunting areas.
This applies in many federal states in Germany, for example in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
Meanwhile, in Unterföhring, Bavaria, large dogs are no longer allowed to run free.
In some federal states, dogs are required to be kept on a leash in the forest during the closed season.
© Oleg Kopyov/imago
In some regions, dogs must be kept on a leash, for example in Berlin and Thuringia - otherwise there is a risk of a fine.
The warning fine in public green spaces in Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, for example, is 35 euros, as the district office informs.
The animals are only allowed to run around without a leash in designated open areas.
In other federal states, however, the animal only has to be kept on a leash during the closed season, i.e. the breeding, breeding and rearing period.
During this time, the animals in the forest give birth to their offspring and do not want to be disturbed.
Hunting is then also forbidden.
Dog on a leash in the forest?
What applies in the federal states during the closed season
The closed season begins in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt on April 1st and lasts until July 15th.
This means: Dogs must be kept on a leash in the forest during the closed season.
In Saarland the closed season begins on March 1st, in Bremen from March 15th.
According to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, hunting, rescue, herding, police and guide dogs are exempt from the rule in all federal states.
These regulations regarding the obligation to keep on a leash in the forest apply in the federal states:
Baden-Württemberg:
No general leash requirement from the state
Bavaria:
No general leash requirement from the state;
Keepers must take breeding and setting times into account
Berlin:
Leash requirement throughout the city;
Excluded are designated open spaces
Brandenburg:
Leash requirement for parks, gardens and green spaces, among other things;
Leash may be a maximum of two meters long
Bremen:
Must be kept on a leash during the closed season from March 15th to July 15th
Hamburg:
Dogs must be kept on a leash throughout Hamburg;
Exemption from the leash requirement is possible for obedient dogs
Hesse:
No general leash requirement from the state;
Municipalities can make it compulsory during the breeding and breeding season
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania:
No general leash requirement from the state
Lower Saxony:
Leash requirement in the closed season from April 1st to July 15th
North Rhine-Westphalia:
No general leash requirement from the state
Rhineland-Palatinate:
No general leash requirement from the state
Saarland:
Leash requirement in the closed season from March 1st to June 30th for dogs that cannot reliably stay on forest paths
Saxony:
No general leash requirement from the state
Saxony-Anhalt:
Leash requirement in the closed season from April 1st to July 15th
Schleswig-Holstein:
Dogs are only allowed to be on a leash in the forest, in nature reserves and on dikes
Thuringia:
Dogs must be kept on a leash in Thuringian forests
My news
After attack in Moscow: Putin ally Lukashenko accidentally torpedoes Ukraine claim read
Baby happiness after the end of his career: Olympic ski champion becomes a father for the first time a few days after retirement
Bankruptcy of German industry giant: next traditional company goes bankrupt
Sweater, park bench, daffodils: The hidden messages in Princess Kate's video reading
“That’s disrespectful”: Civil servants earn as little as citizens’ benefit recipients – and the traffic lights are watching
Convict escapes while being treated at clinic – search continues read on
However, the rules differ depending on the region.
While in Würzburg, Bavaria, all dogs must be on a leash in the city center, smaller dogs in Nuremberg are allowed to run without a leash, reports
Bayerischer Rundfunk
.
In addition, in many places certain breeds of dogs, so-called listed dogs, must always be kept on a leash.
You should check in advance with the relevant authorities what applies in your city or municipality.
Anyone who violates the regulations risks a fine.
In general, disobedient dogs should be kept on a leash when outdoors.
Just recently a dog took the train to Munich alone.
(cheese)