The Town of Wake Forest is encouraging local pet owners to be a good neighbor and a great pet owner by obeying Wake County’s leash law.
The town regularly receives complaints from local residents about dogs running at large – particularly at town parks. Although Wake Forest does not have an ordinance pertaining to dogs, Wake County Animal Control has jurisdiction to enforce animal control laws within the town and its park system.
Wake County Animal Control Ordinance Section 2-3-7 (A) states “It shall be unlawful for any owner to permit an animal to be at large.” Section 2-3-7 (C) further states “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.”
Any owner permitting an animal to be at large shall pay a civil penalty of $100 for the first violation.
Flaherty Dog Park, 1100 North White Street, provides a free place for dog owners to let their pets run free safely and legally without a leash. Approximately two acres in size, the park is open from dawn to dusk and located adjacent to the Flaherty Park baseball and softball fields. For more information about Flaherty Dog Park, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search Flaherty Dog Park.
To report an animal control problem, call Wake County Animal Control at 919-212-PETS (7387).
