New Leash Requirement for Dogs in Canton Uri
With the revision of the hunting ordinance, the cantonal parliament has enacted a leash requirement for dogs. Dog owners are therefore obliged to keep their four-legged companions on a leash from 1 April to 31 July in forests and forest edge areas. Working dogs are exempt from this requirement.
Approximately 2’000 dogs are registered in Canton Uri.
To ensure that they pose no danger to mother animals and young wildlife during the breeding and fawning season, a general leash requirement in forests and forest edge areas (within 50 m of the forest) has been in force in Canton Uri, as in most Swiss cantons, from 1 April to 31 July since last year.
Particularly at risk during this sensitive period are newly born roe deer fawns, as well as the nests of ground-nesting birds and young hares. The Office for Forestry and Hunting urges dog owners to pay special attention to the fawning and breeding season of wildlife over the coming three months when walking their dogs, and to consistently observe the leash requirement for dogs in forests and forest edge areas.
In sensitive and heavily frequented areas, the Office for Forestry and Hunting will erect signs to ensure that dog owners are informed as effectively as possible about the leash requirement. Areas in open land along forest edges and hedgerows are also of concern. Retractable leads can allow dogs a degree of freedom of movement even when the leash requirement is in force. Dog owners who fail to comply with this requirement may face an administrative fine.
Working dogs are exempt from the leash requirement (including search dogs on deployments or during exercises). Prior to any planned exercises with working dogs in forests, it is strongly recommended to coordinate with the hunting authority (telephone 041 875 2316). This measure helps to ensure the best possible protection of wildlife in sensitive areas.
