Alexandria City Code Sec. 5-7-35 requires dogs on public property to be under physical restraint by a leash held by a person capable of controlling the dog. Sec. 5-7-33.1 separately prohibits running at large in public parks and playgrounds, with off-leash use allowed only in designated dog exercise areas.
Alexandria's animal regulations are in City Code Title 5, Chapter 7 (Animals and Fowl). Sec. 5-7-35(a) makes it unlawful to permit a dog off the owner's premises unless under control of a responsible person and secured by a leash. Sec. 5-7-33.1 prohibits dogs running at large in public parks or playgrounds, except in designated off-leash dog exercise areas. Sec. 5-7-42(5) bars dogs - leashed or not - from public playgrounds and school grounds. Typical fines are $50 under Sec. 5-7-35 (no leash on sidewalks or roads), $100 under Sec. 5-7-33.1 (off-leash in parks), and $50 under Sec. 5-7-42(5) (playgrounds and schools). Designated off-leash dog parks include Founders Park, Montgomery Park, Duke Street Dog Park, and others maintained by Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
Civil penalties typically run $50 for unleashed dogs on streets and sidewalks (Sec. 5-7-35), $100 for running at large in parks (Sec. 5-7-33.1), and $50 for dogs on playgrounds or school property (Sec. 5-7-42(5)). Report violations to Alexandria Police non-emergency at 703-746-4444.
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