Dog Policy
The municipality of Kerkrade has a dog policy aimed at creating and maintaining livability in all neighborhoods in Kerkrade. The basic principle is that public spaces belong to all of us; both dog owners and non-dog owners.
There are approximately 5,000 registered dogs in the municipality of Kerkrade. All these dogs together produce as much as about 49,000 kilos of excrement per year. This dog poop naturally ends up in various places in the public space: on the street, sidewalks, lawns and other green spaces.
The municipality of Kerkrade has a dog policy aimed at creating and maintaining livability in all neighborhoods in Kerkrade. The basic principle is that public spaces belong to all of us; both dog owners and non-dog owners.
A number of facilities have been established for dog owners. In the interest of all Kerkrade residents, compliance with certain ground rules regarding dog walking and dog poop is enforced.
What is allowed and what is not allowed?
Of course, you may go wherever you want with your pets. For your dog, however, there are some places where it is not allowed. These are at least cemeteries, sandboxes, children's playgrounds and playing fields.
May your dog run loose or must it be leashed?
A leash obligation applies throughout Kerkrade. It is therefore prohibited to let your dog run loose; your dog must be leashed when walking. The only exceptions to this prohibition are the so-called fenced off-leash areas and exercise areas where dogs can run and play freely. More information about the dog policy in Kerkrade can be found in the brochure The dog policy of the municipality of Kerkrade The off-leash areas can be found in the insert.
The situational drawings below show the various dog facilities in the neighborhoods.
Are you required to clean up dog poop yourself?
As a dog owner, you are obliged to clean up your dog's excrement yourself. The obligation to clean up applies everywhere, just not to the so-called off-leash areas, walking routes and exercise areas, as you could read earlier. As a result, it is also mandatory to carry a clean-up device (such as a plastic bag) with you while walking your dog. To avoid having to walk longer than strictly necessary with a bag of feces, the municipality has placed so-called depodog bins in which these bags may be deposited. Depodog bins can be recognized by their green color. In addition, there is a picture of a dog on the bin. More than 150 dog waste bins have been placed in Kerkrade. These bins are located along the routes frequently followed by dog owners and offer the opportunity to throw in the plastic bag.
How is it monitored and supervised?
Compliance with the above rules will be monitored by employees of the Municipality of Kerkrade. If a violation is found, an official report will be drawn up. Below is an overview of the possible fines and the corresponding amounts:
- Dog not leashed on public roads €90.
- Letting dog stay on a playground or sandbox €130,-
- Failure to clean up excrement €130.
Missing or death
In case your dog is missing, please contact the animal protection center Limburg in Born, reachable by phone at 088 - 811 3600.
Should your dog have died, please report it to the BSGW. (Tax Cooperation Municipalities and Water Boards)
Do you still have questions? You can always contact the municipality via the general telephone number 14 045 or via the e-mail address gemeentehuis@kerkrade.nl.