Chicago Park District Rules & Regulations of a DFA (Dog Friendly Area)
With the Horner Park Dog Park set to open soon, we wanted to remind everyone of the Chicago Park District Rules and Regulations for Dog Friendly Areas. They can be found at
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/dog-friendly-areas . We have also listed them below for your convenience along with some short explanations, many of which were borrowed directly from Mondog.org (we're not into reinventing the wheel!), the website for the Montrose Dog Beach. Thanks Mondog!
Your dog is your responsibility. If your dog injures another, you will be financially responsible. This is true whether your dog is on or off leash, inside or outside of the DFA. Know your dog and her warning signs. Understand that you are entering an area where your dog may come into contact with a dog that could hurt it. Even if your dog is normally friendly, be aware of other dogs and how they are behaving toward yours, so that you can keep your dog out of harm's way. The best way to stop a fight is by preventing it from occurring in the first place.
Always, always, always have your dog in eyesight. Your dog is your responsibility, so please keep a close eye on your dog as he plays, making sure that he is safe at all times. It is your responsibility to keep you dog out of trouble and under control, and to pick up after him every time. You must accompany your dog into the dog park. Watching your dog from outside the fence or leaving him in the dog park while you engage in another activity outside of the DFA is not allowed.
Dogs are only allowed off-leash inside the DFA. Please respect other park users and keep dogs on leash when coming and going to the DFA. Off-leash dogs in other areas of the park are subject to ticketing and fines for violating Chicago's leash laws. Please also be mindful of keeping the gates to the DFA closed, except upon entering and exiting the DFA.
It is up to every dog guardian to clean up after their dog every time. People who fail to clean up after their dogs are subject to a fine of up to $500.00 (City of Chicago Ordinance 7-12-420). The Park District staff does not come in and clean up the DFA. It is maintained by you, the user. So please be good stewards of the DFA and pick up after your pet. We are a carry in, carry out facility. Please bring your own poop bags and plan to throw them away when you leave the DFA. There will be trash cans outside the gates but not inside the DFA because trash pick up providers will not empty the cans if they are inside the dog park.
Every owner should know their dog. If your dog does not socialize well with other dogs and/or people, coming to the DFA is not a good idea. Any type of aggressive behavior is not welcome and not allowed. This is for the safety of every dog and person visiting the dog park. Please immediately leash and remove your dog if he/she exhibits aggressive or potentially dangerous behavior. Allowing offending dogs to stay only reinforces their bad behavior and endangers others. Leash up and leave.
All dogs must have a current DFA tag. That is you proof that your dog is healthy, fully immunized and licensed. For more information about DFA tags go to https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/dog-friendly-areas
In order to obtain a DFA tag, your dog's rabies vaccination must be up to date. This is for everyone's safety.
The Park District provides only limited maintenance for its dog parks. For example, they will help repair a broken fence, but they will not pick up poop, rake mulch back in place, replace pea gravel, fill holes, etc. It's up to the dog park users to take care of the DFA. Please help us keep Horner Park DFA safe and clean by doing your part. We are privileged to have the temporary use of a grass surface area. Please do not let your dog dig. If you see a hole or other dangerous condition, please email the Horner Park Dog Friendly Area Committee as soon as possible or message us on Facebook.
No picnicking within the designated Dog Friendly Area. Most dogs are highly food motivated and bringing food into a dog park is just asking for trouble. Dogs will beg, steal and fight over food. You are welcome to enjoy a private picnic with your leashed dog elsewhere in the park. So please find a cozy lunch spot on one of Horner's other 50 acres to eat, and save the treat training for home.
This one's pretty self explanatory!
All dogs must have a current DFA tag. For more information about DFA tags go to https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/dog-friendly-areas
Each DFA permit expires on December 31 of the year that it is issued. Tags are only good for one year because they reflect that your dog is healthy and immunized, which must be assessed on an annual basis. Create a recurring event on your calendar to get your DFA tag every January!
Children under 12 are not allowed in the DFA without a parent or guardian. Children must be supervised for their own safety and that of the dogs. There are many parks and playgrounds in the city exclusively for children, and only a few parks where dogs can come to play with other dogs. We do not recommend bringing small children into to the dog park. You do so at your own risk, and must closely supervise them.
There is a strict limit of three dogs per adult. It is too difficult to watch over, control and clean up after more than three dogs. Got more than three dogs? Bring a friend to help! Professional dog walkers with more than three dogs are expressly prohibited.
Puppies are at risk of catching dangerous diseases and parasites until they have completed all their puppy shots and boosters, usually by around four months old. Check with your vet before bringing your pup to the DFA.
Dogs in heat, or near heat, should not be taken to socialize with other dogs. They are a fight hazard and present a danger to themselves and other dogs.
Cook County Animal Control is responsible for enforcing the DFA tag rules, and if they actually did that, you could get a fine of up to $500.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
