Dogs Must Be Leashed At All Times

It's The Law

Leashing your dog helps keep everyone safe and makes our community more enjoyable. In the Borough of Franklin Lakes, dogs are not allowed to run at large, or to be in playgrounds or on playing fields. A leash keeps your dog from running into dangerous situations like busy roads or wildlife, and it gives you peace of mind knowing they won’t unexpectedly run off or approach strangers or other dogs. Most importantly, it keeps your pup safe, under control, and helps protect both of you from getting hurt while out enjoying your time together.

Borough Code §157-11 - Dogs prohibited from running at large and prohibited in playground areas and on playing fields within Borough.

Reasons to Keep Dogs on a Leash

• Safety for your dog – Prevents them from running into traffic, getting lost, or approaching unfriendly animals.
  
• Safety for others – Even the friendliest dogs can scare people, especially children or those with a fear of dogs. A leash gives you control.
  
• Wildlife protection – Keeps your dog from chasing or harming wildlife and protects them from wild animals, too.
  
• Respect for others – Not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Using a leash shows courtesy in shared spaces.
  
• Training & control – Helps reinforce good behavior and prevents jumping, lunging, or barking at other dogs or people.

From Community Director

Proper Disposal of Pet Waste

While walking around the Borough of Franklin Lakes, it is disappointing to see our residents not cleaning up after their pets. Our parks, fenced in ballfields, and walking paths are beautiful for all to enjoy. We also have a beautiful maintained dog park, “Old Mill Woodlands Dog Park,” where your pets can enjoy interacting with other dogs. 

Please pick up after your pets, keep dogs on a leash, and keep pets off recreation fields including fenced in ballfields. Pet waste stations and garbage cans are conveniently available throughout our parks and paths for you to obtain a bag and dispose of your waste filled dog bags. Remind other owners to also scoop their dog’s solid waste.

All pet owners and keepers are required to immediately and properly dispose of their pet's solid waste deposited on any property, public or private, not owned or possessed by that person. Solid waste is expelled from the bowel of a pet, commonly known as excrement, feces, or poop. It's the law. Pet waste should be placed in a designated waste receptacle, or container for disposal. Violation of Borough Code §157-30 shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000. Keep in mind the same rules apply in the dog park.

Pet waste bags are inexpensive, portable, and widely available. The Mayors Wellness Campaign also has pet waste bags available. Stop by the Recreation office at 1 Vichiconti Way or at Borough Hall to pick up a bag dispenser! Thank you for helping to keep our parks and paths clean.

Why Clean Up After Your Dog

• Dog waste carries contaminants. Bacteria and diseases from pet waste can be transmitted to people and other pets. Bacteria, parasites, and pathogens in dog feces and contaminate soil and get washed into waterways.
• It's just gross. Would you like to see and smell piles of feces on a daily basis? Or accidentally step in a pile and end up tracking it into your car or home? No. Then don't do it to others. Picking up after your dog is not only the responsible thing to do, it's also the polite thing to do.
• It's the law. In the Borough of Franklin Lakes, dog owners are expressly required to clean up after their pets.
• Dog bags are cheap, portable, and widely available.
• Be a good ambassador for dog owners: pick up after your dog, immediately and consistently.

Dogs on children's playgrounds and sports fields represents a major health and injury hazard:

• Toxocariasis is a rare infection caused by roundworm parasites that can be passed to humans most commonly found in cats, dogs, and foxes feces.
• Children and young adults are usually affected due to contact with contaminated soil or sand within play areas by swallowing the infected egg.
• There is evidence that dogs can also carry E.coli and hepatitis in their feces.

From Borough Clerk

Free Rabies Clinics

The Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center provides free rabies vaccination clinics for New Jersey residents. These rabies vaccine clinics are held twice a month, every other Wednesday from 2:00pm-4:00pm, at the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center and are available by appointment only. Visit their website for more information at https://bergenhealth.info/animalshelter/rabiesclinic/rabiesregistrationpublic.html.

In addition, local free rabies clinics will be held on the following dates. Please contact the host town for more information.

Click to enlarge flyer.

ADA Notice and Grievance Procedure