Tenant Fined $200 for Unleashed Dog

DOS issued a violation notice to tenant for permitting his dog to be unleashed on a public sidewalk. Tenant claimed that his dog ran out of the building when a neighbor opened the front door before tenant could put a leash on the dog. When he caught up to the dog and picked it up to put on the leash, the DOS inspector had already approached and issued the summons. The ALJ found that the dog’s escape from the building was no defense and fined tenant $200. Tenant appealed and lost. Health Code Section 161.05 requires that a dog owner “shall not permit it to be in any public place. . . unless the dog is effectively restrained by a leash or chain not more than six feet long.”

Jowers: ECB App. No. 1601178 (12/15/16) [1-pg. doc.]