In public, keep your dog on a leash!

ORANJESTAD — The Department of Public Health is urging all dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash in public places.

Even a friendly dog may react unpredictably in an environment filled with noise, other animals, traffic, or strangers. Therefore, when you go out with your pet, maintaining direct control is essential. Keeping your dog on a leash in public places is the hallmark of a responsible owner.

According to the Dog Ordinance (Hondenverordening), a dog must be kept on a leash on any land accessible to the public, except in designated off-leash areas. The government may legally designate areas where dogs can walk without a leash, as well as areas where dogs are strictly prohibited.

Using a leash prevents a dog from running into traffic, approaching a child or another animal without permission, triggering a fight, or getting lost. It gives you, the owner, the opportunity to intervene before a situation becomes dangerous.

Keeping your dog on a leash is not a sign that the dog is aggressive; rather, it signals that you are a responsible owner who respects the space and safety of others. While walking your dog, remember to also clean up its droppings and avoid causing a nuisance to the community.

You may know your pet well, but you cannot control everything that happens around them. Always use a secure leash and stay alert. Ensuring safety is the responsibility of the owner—not the strangers or animals you meet along the way.

For a harmonious community, be a responsible pet owner!

Legal basis: Hondenverordening, Article 4.

Every act of responsibility saves a life. Protect their welfare, plant love, and together we can work toward an Aruba free of abandoned animals.

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Responsible owners kier their dogs on a leash.