The Town of Wake Forest is calling on its dog-owning residents to step up their game, insisting they adhere to Wake County's leash law after a surge in complaints about unleashed dogs roaming freely, particularly in public spaces such as parks and along greenways. According to a statement from the Town of Wake Forest, the local authorities are putting the onus on pet owners to ensure their furry friends aren't causing trouble or posing risks to others in the community.
While The Town of Wake Forest itself does not have a specific ordinance targeting dog control, Wake County Animal Control is the authority in enforcing animal control laws within Town limits — including its park system. The wakeup call comes as a response to the accumulating grievances, Registered as 'at large' by the County Animal Control Ordinance 91.07 (A) which delineates, "It shall be unlawful for any owner to permit an animal to be at large." And it doesn't stop there, Section 91.07 (C) goes to specify, "It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any dog to take the dog into or allow the dog to enter any public park without being at all times under the restraint of a leash unless said park is designated as a dog park."
The leash law carries a bite for noncompliance: dog owners who let their pets roam free could face a financial sting, with a civil penalty of $100 for the first violation. This measure isn’t just for show — it's an effort to promote responsible pet ownership and foster safer communal spaces for all residents, both two and four-legged.
Dog owners seeking a place for their pets to stretch their legs without the restraint of a leash can do so at Flaherty Dog Park, located at 1100 N. White St. This designated area allows dogs the freedom to run untethered in a space roughly two acres in size. The park, open from dawn to dusk and positioned next to the Flaherty Park baseball and softball fields, provides a lawful area for pets to play 'fetch' to their heart's content — and without the possibility of a $100 fine looming over their owner's head.
