New Initiative for Dog Walking Regulations in Odessa
The Odessa City Council is preparing a project regarding the walking of large dogs without the need for muzzles and leashes. This issue is expected to be addressed by the city council in 2025. This information was discussed during a session of the Odessa City Council.
Details of the issue
The confrontation with owners of large dogs who walk their pets without proper safety measures has been ongoing since 2020. However, effective mechanisms to influence these residents are still lacking. Council members propose to adopt new rules for animal walking in the city, even though the document is still under development.
"Unfortunately, owners of large breeds, particularly fighting dogs, continue to walk them without muzzles and leashes. There have been instances where large dogs attack people, children, tear clothing, and cause injuries. We want to ensure that our services can penalize and control dog owners," — stated a member of the Odessa City Council.
The Department of Ecology noted that they cannot yet approve rules that would allow fines for walking large dogs without muzzles, as current legislation does not permit this.
