The issue of walking dogs in public places has once again come to the forefront after several high-profile incidents and discussions on social media. The catalyst was both a recent dog attack in Carnikava and numerous complaints from Riga residents who report regularly encountering large dogs off-leash during their walks. As reported by [LA.LV](https://www.la.lv/jezus-milais-es-vairs-nevaru-pa-imantas-mezaparku-pastaigat-jo-bail-ieva-satraukta-par-riga-notiekoso), an active discussion unfolded on the social network Threads. A resident of Riga, Ieva, admitted that she now feels uncomfortable while walking in the Imanta forest park. > “I love dogs, but, Lord Jesus, I can’t walk in the Imanta forest park anymore — it’s scary,” she wrote. According to the woman, it becomes especially concerning when large dogs run around off-leash, sometimes several at once. Similar stories were shared by other participants in the discussion. One resident reported that she stopped walking her small dog near the lake in Jugla, as she regularly encounters large dogs off-leash there. Others noted that they do not mind animals per se, but do not want unfamiliar dogs approaching them freely during their walks. Some discussion participants believe that free-range walking could be permissible in certain areas or at specific times. However, others remind that such issues are regulated not by European norms, but by the local rules of each municipality. ## What the current rules say The Riga municipal police remind that currently, dogs can be off-leash only in specially designated areas for walking. In other public places — including parks, forest parks, courtyards of apartment buildings, and other green zones — dogs must be on a leash. This rule applies regardless of the time of day. Such requirements are stipulated in the Cabinet of Ministers regulations No. 411, which state that dogs can only be let off-leash in specialized areas or in places where it is explicitly permitted by the rules of the specific municipality. ## Where in Riga is free-range walking allowed Currently, in the capital, dogs can only be walked off-leash in specially equipped areas. Among them are: * the area on Lucavsala; * the area on Andrei Sakharov Street; * the area on Matisa Street; * the area on Eksporta Street. These territories are designated for the free walking of animals and allow owners to let their dogs off-leash without violating the current rules. The discussion on social media has shown that the issue of dog walking remains one of the most sensitive topics for city residents, and knowledge of the current rules is important for both pet owners and other park visitors.
