Prague upset the dogmaker. The new decree prohibits the free running of dogs
Prague has completed a new decree, which dogs will run freely only in strictly defined places. In most areas of the capital will have to be either on a leash or in close proximity to their owner.
The magistracy has changed the decree before, for which it has garnered criticism, especially from dog breeders. According to a proposal sent by the municipality to the comment period on 8 December, there are particularly more places for public greenery than before.
The appendix then defines several specific places where dogs can run freely (see gallery). The red areas that mark these areas are only minimal in the whole territory of Prague.
According to the decree, dogs can also run freely “on fenced dog playgrounds and fenced areas with obstacles for agility.” If the dog is led on a leash, it must not prevent other people from moving.
The decree also allows movement without a leash, in which case the dog must be in close proximity to its owner to avoid collision with others and their pets. Dogs are expressly forbidden to run around children’s or sports playgrounds, flower beds and ornamental parks.
The public can comment on the proposal until January 7, so the comment period is now over. Due to the fact that the decree was quiet, he did not receive too many contributions from the municipality from the citizens. Nevertheless, some objected to the decree.
“It is a counterproductive populist gesture, which will result in more problems than benefits and could be understood not only as direct discrimination against a large group of people, but also as animal cruelty,” said one comment.
“A comprehensive measure is pointless and will only increase the number of animals with insufficient socialization, and thus the potential problematic clashes of dogs with humans,” another citizen complained.
Others, however, welcome the draft of the new decree. “The free movement of dogs not only increases pollution and makes it more difficult to remove it, but it can also endanger the safety of pedestrians, including children,” one Prague resident wrote.
TN.cz