Have you seen a dog playing fetch at a park? Running back and forth as its human throws the ball for it to fetch. The dog listens to the owner, focuses on the ball and doesn’t seem to mind that there are others nearby. Unfortunately, this is a scenario that doesn’t happen often in real life. While one dog may be behaving, another dog can get off its leash and want to play or attack the other dog or even a nearby human.

There are numerous bad scenarios for what could happen when your dog is off leash at a Virginia State Park, and I want to share some best practices with you so you can have the utmost experience with your fury friend. Parks are for everyone and therefore rules must be followed so that everyone can enjoy the public space and the number one rule for having your dogs at a Virginia State Park is to keep them on a leash.

Dogs can hurt themselves or others

Whether your dog is well behaved or not, it is important to be sure that your dog is always kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet during your park visit as there are too many bad things that can happen if your dog gets off leash, mainly causing harm to themselves or others.

You love your pet and never want to see it harmed so don’t add any unnecessary factors on your trip that could jeopardize their safety. In addition to hurting themselves, if off leash your pet poses a threat to other dogs that are obeying the rules. Your dog could hurt another dog or even another human. Who wants to deal with injuries, vet bills and possible lawsuits instead of enjoying a day at the park connecting with nature—nobody.

It is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure you have a fun and safe park visit with your dog. There are other places you can take your dog to play off leash, but Virginia State Parks aren’t one of those places.

The danger of getting lost

All parks have boundaries and there are signs posted along with a park map that show where the property ends. These properties are not maintained by park staff and can be dangerous for people and animals. If your pet is on a leash and you stay on the marked trail, then this is one less thing for you to worry about during your park visit.

A park ranger’s time is very valuable and just like you, they don’t want to waste a minute doing things that are unnecessary. Looking for a lost animal is one of those things that abuse the ranger’s time as this scenario usually occurs when your dog is off leash.

Rangers have so many responsibilities that they must attend to in order for the park to run efficiently. While they might be able to assist with the search for a lost animal, please be mindful that you are taking them away from other things that need to be done. Sometimes a ranger will not be available to help, which leads to more unnecessary stress for you and your pet.

Sometimes dogs aren’t found, and this is a situation that no pet owner wants to be in. Lost pets can get hurt and this makes it even harder to locate the animal or if you do find them it may be too late. Again, this can be avoided just by keeping your dog on a leash controlled by you and by being aware of your surroundings.

Consequences of not following the rules

Did you know you could be fined for having your dog off leash? While many rangers usually issue a verbal warning, more are looking to start issuing fines to the pet owner to ensure everyone is safe in these public spaces.

When you stay overnight at the park and don’t follow the rules, your stay can be terminated without refund. This situation isn’t something that happens a lot, but it can be done to punish those who aren’t following the rules. Things like barking continuously after quiet hours and dogs being off leash are the main reasons your fellow campers will complain. When a ranger gets a late night complaint, they must leave their house to resolve a situation that shouldn’t even have happened. We are all trying to enjoy the parks so be respectful and keep your dog on a leash during your park visit.

B.A.R.K. Ranger Program

Virginia State Parks are made to be a safe space for all to enjoy the natural, historical and cultural resources that each unique location has to offer. When you spend time outdoors, please be conscious of the effects your actions may have on plants, animals, other people and various ecosystems. It is understood that each person should respect the space and follow the seven principles leave no trace that highlight the importance of being responsible during outdoor recreation.

You may even get rewarded when you follow rules. Some parks are considering giving out incentive cards to reward those who are following the rules. Incentives range from a congratulatory card or sticker, pet merchandise discount cards or a one-day free daily parking pass. Each location can choose how or if they reward guests but think of this as a fun encouragement to keep your dog on a leash during your park visit.

The best way to be rewarded is by completing the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program at a participating Virginia State Park. Programs are self-guided and ranger-led so anyone who brings their dog to the park can complete this program. Be sure to visit the park website and call before your visit to be sure the program is offered. Pet merchandise and rewards vary at each location. Some parks that offer this program include Twin Lakes, Machicomoco, Natural Tunnel, Pocahontas and Caledon State Park.

Be kind to each other and simply follow the rules so everyone can enjoy their park visit.

For more information about bringing your dog to a Virginia State Park, visit the Pets in Virginia State Parks webpage.