As summer brings pet owners and their dogs to parks and trails, the Animal Welfare Department is emphasizing the importance of keeping dogs leashed.
With that in mind, the department sent out a news release this week telling residents to follow the leash laws in Albuquerque.
“We love our furry friends here in Albuquerque and we encourage pet parents to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with them,” the department wrote in a news release. “AWD understands pet parents want the freedom of letting their pets roam, but as a reminder there are leash laws in Albuquerque for their safety and the safety of others.”
The city’s municipal code requires that all animals owned by humans be on a leash that does not exceed 8 feet on streets or public places within the city. Anyone caught with a dog off leash could face civil violations and be fined $200 for the first offense, $300 on the second and $500 for the third, or face criminal charges.
There are many dog parks in Albuquerque that have designated off-leash areas, find rules for specific parks here.
To find more information about Albuquerque’s Humane and Ethical Animal Rules and Treatment, or HEART, ordinance, click here.
DOG PARKS IN ALBUQUERQUE
Sandia Vista Dog Park, 11505 Chico NE
Bel-Air Dog Park, 3910 Phoenix NE
Bennie Hargrove Dog Park, 1006 Park SW
Bud Warren & Lady Dog Park, 10001 Universe NW
Canine Skyline Dog Park, 12700 Montgomery NE
Chantilly Dog Park, 9913 Benton NW
Coronado Dog Park, 301 McKnight NW
Kirtland Dog Park, 2903 University Blvd SE
Manzano Mesa Dog Park, 501 Elizabeth SE
Montessa Park, 3615 Los Picaros SE
Montgomery Dog Park, 5301 Ponderosa NE
North Domingo Baca, 7520 Corona NE
Ouray Dog Park, 7500 Bob McCannon Pkwy
Rio Grande Triangle Park, 1451 Kit Carson SE
Roosevelt Park, 500 Spruce SE
Santa Fe Village Dog Park, 5700 Bogart NW
Tom Bolack Urban Forest Park, 2000 Dakota NE
Tower Pond Park, Tower Road and 86th Street SW
USS Bullhead Park, 1606 San Pedro SE
Westgate Dog Park, Cartagena Avenue and Valley View Drive SW
West Mesa Dog Park, 6705 Fortuna NW
There’s the hidden park in Nob Hill that dog owners treat like an off leash park with impunity. When I’ve politely asked dog owners to leash their dogs (their dogs threaten mine who is on leash), and most comply, I was told by one man to “shut my mouth, B*****” Why do people in Nob Hill get to break the rules while others get tickets?