Dogs are our best friends. Their owners are responsible for keeping them safe, which also includes keeping the public safe. This is why there are certain laws dog owners must follow, from needing to keep them on a leash in most places, to getting them vaccinated.
Whenever a dog owner takes their dog out, the dog must be kept on a leash. Some communities require leashes to be 6-8 feet long; other communities have no leash length requirement. By keeping a dog on a leash, the owner is taking precaution to keep their dog safe, like avoiding getting hit by a passing car. In addition, they also keep other people safe, like avoiding a dog attack or scaring others who are uncomfortable around dogs. If a dog attack occurs, the owner can be arrested and charged with a crime, even if the owner did not encourage the fight and tried to stop their dog. They would have to pay a fine and possibly spend time in jail. In some situations, they may also lose their dog, or their dog will be put down.
Dog owners who have had time to train their dogs to be obedient and friendly would love to let their best friend off the leash and play with other friendly dogs as well. At most California parks and beaches, this is not allowed because the dogs must remain on their leash. However, there are some dog-friendly parks and beaches, meaning the dog can run around leash-free, and a handful of such welcoming locations can be found throughout Southern California.
Dog Parks
- Alice’s Dog Park in Pasadena
- The Boneyard in Culver City
- Griffith Park Dog Park in Los Feliz
- Laurel Canyon Dog Park in Studio City
- Silver Lake Off-Leash Dog Park in Silver Lake
- Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park in North Hollywood
Dog Beaches
- Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara
- Fiesta Island in San Diego
- Huntington Dog Beach in Huntington Beach
- Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach
