Free, but on a leash: new rules for dogs sparked protests in Riga

Participants of the memorandum on cooperation among Latvian animal shelters, animal protection organizations, and volunteers sent a letter to the members of the Riga City Council urging them to vote against the new draft rules for animal keeping in its current form and to return it for revision to the committee on housing and the environment. According to the Rural Support Service, as of October 10 this year, there were 59,139 dogs registered in Riga. The potential income for the municipality from the fee could amount to between 300,000 and 400,000 euros per year. According to animal rights advocates, these funds could be directed towards financing animal shelters, dog walking areas, and other initiatives to ensure animal welfare. If the municipality abandons this fee, the corresponding expenses will have to be covered from the general budget, affecting funds necessary for education, social services, culture, and other functions. The previous rules provided a 50% discount on the fee for the keeping of sterilized dogs. With the cancellation of the fee, this financial incentive will disappear, so alternative measures must be considered to encourage sterilization and responsible pet ownership. Under the current rules, dog owners had the opportunity to walk their dogs off-leash in Riga's forests and parks at night. The participants of the memorandum oppose restrictions that would prohibit dogs from running off-leash outside specially designated areas. Free movement and exploration of the environment are important for the physical and mental health of dogs. An unexercised and unsocialized dog in public places exhibits fear and aggression, which the entire society, not just dog owners, wants to avoid, animal rights advocates warn.