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ANIMAL ORDINANCES
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Animal Ordinances and Responsible Pet Owner
Information
The City of Arlington Animal Services Department estimates that
67,000 dogs reside in Arlington. Currently, approximately 10,000 of
these dogs are licensed annually through Animal Services.
The Parks and Recreation Chapter of the Code of the City of
Arlington lists the following animal ordinances for city parks:
- Animal owners or persons in the possession of animals must have
materials or implements in their possession that, either alone or
in combination with each other, can be used immediately in a
sanitary and lawful manner to remove and dispose of animal
defecation that may be deposited on park property.
- Any animals, whether leashed or not, are not allowed on league
playing fields enclosed by a fence. A "league athletic
playing field" is designed and maintained for league play of
sports activities approved by the Director or the Park Board, such
as football, soccer, and baseball.
- Animal owners or persons in the possession of animals must have
their pets leashed at all times on park property.
Violation of these ordinances could result in a fine up to $500.00
The Parks and Recreation Department reminds you to be a responsible
pet owner and citizen in Arlington’s parks.
Be a Responsible pet owner
If your dog poops, then you must scoop!
There are many "no touch" biodegradable clean-up products on
the market that can be purchased at local pet stores or on-line.
Clean-up tool suggestions:
- Mutt Mitts-plastic biodegradable plastic bags that reverse and
tie to contain and seal in dog feces.
- Dispoz-A-Scoops-biodegradable plastic bags with a wired mouth
and an attached cardboard handle that allows a
"no-touch" advantage.
Another suggestion is carrying plastic grocery store or newspaper
bags. These can be used much in the same way as store bought products.
Just stick your hand in the plastic bag, pick up the waste, pull your
hand out, tie the bag and dispose in the nearest trash can.
Always have your pet on a leash. Remember…not all citizens using
park facilities are animal lovers. And lots of times, small children
are scared of animals. So for your safety and others a leash must be
used at all times.
Cleaning up after your pet and not taking them on fenced athletic
fields will help keep city parks sanitary, and you safe from dog
related illnesses.
Health Risks from Dog Feces can include:
- Roundworms-humans can become infected with roundworms by coming
in contact with dirt or sand contaminated by dog’s fecal
material and then not washing their hands.
- Hookworms-humans can become infected when hookworms from
infected animals are deposited in the soil where they hatch into
larvae. Larvae can penetrate through skin or be ingested which
present a risk when walking barefoot in contaminated soil.
- Whipworms-humans can become infected when they come into contact
with contaminated dog feces, soil or grass. However, these
infections are rare.
Good hygiene and common sense will minimize you and other family’s
exposure to dog related illnesses. Specifically you should:
- Promptly dispose of fecal material
- Keep children from playing where soil may be contaminated
- Practice good hygiene and encourage children to wash hands
regularly, especially after playing in dirt or sandboxes
- Wear shoes in public parks to guard against hookworms
- Cover children’s sandboxes when not in use
- Keep dog’s environment, including bedding, clean
- Bathe and groom dog regularly
- Always wear gloves when gardening, or wash hands thoroughly
afterwards
- Support laws promoting proper disposal of dog feces in public
parks and playgrounds.
Health risks and hygiene tips sited from the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases,
Division of Parasitic Diseases.
Facts about people and pets
A survey by the Animal Hospital Association shows the extent of
care and attention toward dogs.
- 79% give their dogs holiday or birthday cards
- 68% bring their dog when they travel
- 62% sign letters or cards from themselves and their dogs
- 61% believe caring for their dogs fulfills their need to parent
- 33% talk to their dogs on the phone or through the answering
machine while away
- 32% of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds
- 77% spend the night indoors
American Pet Products
Manufacturer’s Association |
