Do All Dogs In Grand Rapids Have To Be Leashed?

In Michigan we love our dogs!

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Roughly 62.4% of Michiganders are pet owners, and out of that number about 41.9% of them have a dog according to Dogster.

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If you're a pet owner, its important to take care of your four legged friend.

You can do that by providing them with plenty of food and water, annual check-ups at the vet, and by taking them out each day for my dog's favorite four-letter word a W-A-L-K

I've always kept my dogs on a leash in public because I'm scared to death they will see something, like a squirrel, or get freaked out by a loud sound and take off into the street and get hit by a car.

I've never thought about whether dogs have to be leashed or not when out in public.

Read More: What Is The State Dog For Michigan?

Do All Dogs In Grand Rapids Have To Be Leashed?

According to the law in Michigan dogs must be leashed when off their owner's property. It is unlawful for any owner to allow their dog "to stray unless held properly in leash." This applies to public spaces such as roadsides, parks, and recreational areas.

Grand Rapids also has a leash ordinance that says dogs must be restrained by a leash no longer than six feet when off their owner's property. Dogs must be under the control of a person capable of restraining them at all times in public spaces.

So, if you're someone who lets your dog run around off-leash in public, not only are you breaking the law, but you're also putting both your dog and other dogs in danger.

Just because your dog is nice and friendly doesn't mean that someone else's dog will react well when yours runs up to it.

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Bottom line: unless you're at home in your backyard, it's probably a good idea to always keep your dog on a leash.