Dogs

[Earman]

My Finnish wife is trying to tell me that when we move to Finland my well behaved and fully trained labrador must be kept on a lead at all times when on a walk. As we will be living in the middle of nowhere I can't believe this can be true. A search of this forum has proved indecisive. As she loves to run and chase a ball + swims like an otter I hope one of you can reassure me that she can be off a lead in quiet or uninhabited area. Is there a site that can help? I have tried googling but it keeps sending me to American sites!!!

I fully accept she should be on a lead in busy or public places.

[Kupcake]

I'm pretty sure you have to keep your dog on a leash. It's about safety. Only recently a child was mauled to death by a Rottweiler in Finland, and i'm sure that you think your dog is safe, but you never really know. If you need to be sure you could call a Finnish police station. They will clear up any confusion for you.

[Hank W.]

Well, the hunting law states a dog must be kept in a leash or "immediately leashable" from 1.3 to 19.8 (bird nesting and such), and otherwise if there is no permission from the landowner or the proprietor of hunting rights. Park areas and such may prohibit dogs (nature preserves) or enforce leashing. Then also the public ordinance act states a dog must be kept in a leash in a built-up area, and theres prohibitions on where to walk the dogs, such as market places, public beaches, etc. Basically in town a dog can be free in a "dog park", "training area" and in an "enclosed yard".

As she loves to run and chase a ball + swims like an otter I hope one of you can reassure me that she can be off a lead in quiet or uninhabited area.

As long as you're the landowner or proprietor of the hunting rights, no problem.

[Mikie]

The reality of it is that you need to keep the dog leashed on any public type walks, but once into the woods or nature parks we let our dog off leash to run and have fun. She's well trained, and returns promptly on call, so whenever someone else is seen on the trail, we just call and releash until the other people are gone. Common sense prevails. There's a rule for everything here and if you follow each and every one to a T, you'll go crazy.

[rinso]

If an unleashed dog goes after livestock, you can be in big trouble.
In Lapland for instance, if a dog is suspected of killing reindeer, it can be put down.
I expect it is the same if it kills sheep or so.
And if they only wound them, the vets bill can be expensive.

[Rosamunda]

Basically yes, municipalities require dogs to be kept on a leash but I think puppies (under one year) are exempt. At home we have a fenced in dog yard (because we are next to a school) so she stays out a lot during the day, unleashed.
We let our dog off the lead in the forest and on footpaths but she is well-trained and obedient and we generally avoid the peak dog-walking hours anyway. At the mökki she is never on a lead. I also take her down to the sea sometimes (not now too cold) and let her swim, but not near the public beaches.

BTW... the rules also apply to cats.

[antstar]

Basically yes, municipalities require dogs to be kept on a leash but I think puppies (under one year) are exempt. At home we have a fenced in dog yard (because we are next to a school) so she stays out a lot during the day, unleashed.
We let our dog off the lead in the forest and on footpaths but she is well-trained and obedient and we generally avoid the peak dog-walking hours anyway. At the mökki she is never on a lead. I also take her down to the sea sometimes (not now too cold) and let her swim, but not near the public beaches.

BTW... the rules also apply to cats.

This is very similar to me. i have a labrador and let him off when no-one else is about, i take him for runs when its "off-peak" and i have found a peice of lake that is dog friendly! kids tend to go where there is a bit of a pier or diving place or you'll be ok. When going to these places i use a flexy lead.

[susuriitee]

BTW... the rules also apply to cats.

Just wondering -- what are these rules?

[Hank W.]

Ask the dog

[Rosamunda]

BTW... the rules also apply to cats.

Just wondering -- what are these rules?

I guess you need to check with your municipality. There may be links on this forum as the subject has come up on several occasions. I have never found anything in English on the Espoo site but other towns/cities may have something. Basically cats are not allowed to roam free. But I don't have a cat so I am not too sure of the official rules.