Dog policy

Adjusted rules for dogs

You derive a lot of pleasure from your dog and would like to let it run loose. You are allowed to let your dog run loose in DE off-leash areas. These are indicated on the map at the bottom of this message and with signs at the locations. In the Rosenburgh off-leash area, there is a restriction of three dogs per handler. You can read more about this in DE information letter.

Dog feces are a major source of annoyance for many residents of Voorschoten. To keep our village pleasant and livable, DE municipality has adjusted the rules for walking dogs. These are laid down in DE General Local Ordinance. When walking your dog, you are required to bring cleanup supplies, such as a plastic bag or a dog poop scoop, and to clean up the feces. This applies to both on-leash and off-leash areas.

Enforcement of the cleanup and leash obligations

DE municipality's Special Investigative Officers (BOAs) enforce, among other things, the cleanup obligation and the leash obligation for dogs. Dog owners can be fined for these violations. In the schedule below, you can read which fines apply to the violations.

Article 2:57 Walking dogs

[In light of the consolidated version of the regulation presented to the municipal council , Article Y of the regulation establishing the third amendment is understood to refer to Article 2:53 and not to Article 2:57, which is also mentioned.] 

1. It is prohibited for the owner or keeper of a dog to allow that dog to stay or walk: a. within the built-up area in a public space within the meaning of article 1:1 introduction under
   1. without that dog being on a leash;
   2. at a public playground, sandbox, or play area, or at any other location designated by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment ( executive board );
   3. outside a built-up area at a location designated by the “ executive board ” if the dog is not on a leash; or 
   4. on the road without being provided with a collar or other identification mark that clearly identifies the owner or keeper.
2. The prohibition set forth in the first paragraph, preamble and subparagraph (a), does not apply to locations designated by the National Land Agency ( executive board ).
3. The prohibitions in the first paragraph, introduction and sub a through c, do not apply to the owner or keeper of a dog:
   1. who is accompanied by a guide dog or social assistance dog due to their disability; or
   2. who is demonstrably training this dog to be qualified as a guide dog or social assistance dog

Article 2:58 Contamination by dogs and horses

1. Anyone who ventures into a public space with a dog is required to ensure that the excrement of that dog is removed immediately.
2. The provisions of the first paragraph do not apply to locations designated by the National Land Agency ( executive board )
3. The rider, driver, or person accompanying a horse in a public space is required to ensure that the manure left behind by the horse is removed from the public space as quickly as possible.
4. The owner or keeper of a dog is required, when in the locations mentioned in the first paragraph with a dog, to carry a suitable cleanup tool for the immediate removal of the dog’s feces and is also required to present this cleanup tool upon request by a “ supervisor ” or a (special) investigative officer.
5. The Dutch Institute for Quality and Safety in Healthcare ( executive board ) can determine the requirements that a reliable decontamination agent must meet.
6. The first and fourth paragraphs do not apply to the owner or keeper of a dog who is accompanied by a guide dog or a social assistance dog due to their disability.