New rules for dogs in Norway. See what has changed

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Are you fed up with dog feces on the ski slopes? Or maybe you're wondering where you can go cross-country skiing freely a running dog? Many municipalities are currently adopting regulations regarding extraordinary prohibitions.

Changes introduced in 2023

Most dog owners are well aware that the national law applies from April 1 to August 20 possession requirement leash. This is stated in Article 6 of the Dog Act . Fewer people know that a commune can issue its own regulations regarding prohibitions in accordance with art. 6 paragraph 2.

Municipalities decide themselves

For example, a municipality may issue an ordinance requiring restrictions "in parks" and "in and near schools." For those who are annoyed by dog excrement on ski slopes, it is also worth knowing that the municipality may decide to require the use of leashes "on marked ski slopes" in accordance with § 6 second paragraph, letter c of the Dog Act The municipality of Sør-Varanger has gone a step further in Regulation of 15 June 2022 No. 1329 on keeping dogs, Sør-Varanger § 5 letter b, in which the person taking care of the dog must "immediately" "remove the feces" left by the dog, among others. on the ski slopes.

bill

According to § 6 paragraph 2 letter f of the Dog Act, the municipality also has the right to decide that the leash must be used in "extraordinary conditions" that make it "necessary for the protection of game." So what is meant by extraordinary circumstances? In the commune of Vestre Toten, emergency regulations were issued at the beginning of January curfew due to large amounts of snow. Large amounts of snow make it difficult for deer, roe deer and other game animals to get through the snow, making game more susceptible to being chased or injured by dogs. The protection of game due to "difficult snow and ice conditions", "challenging snow and frost conditions" and "large amounts of snow" is the main reason why so many municipalities are currently implementing emergency measures. restrictions regarding leash. This also applies to southern municipalities such as Arendal, Kristiansand and Lillesand, after heavy snowfall.

Recreation with a dog

Many people enjoy the abundance of snow that provides good driving conditions backcountry skiing. Then it's nice to know that, among other things Oslo municipalities, Lørenskog, Lier and Ringsaker also issued regulations on emergency bans on letting dogs off-leash. If you enjoy cross-country skiing with your dog, it's worth checking your local regulations, as many ski municipalities currently have special regulations in place. rules regarding leash.

There was clearly a great need for emergency prohibitions this winter. Of the new local regulations adopted in the first weeks of the year, 49 out of 53 regulations concerned dog bans (as of January 17).

Are you wondering if there is an emergency restraining order in place where you are right now? You can check the latest regulations regarding local bans at Norwegian Legislative Gazette at lovdata.no!