West Hartford Council OKs Townwide Dog Leash Law

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Before approving a new, comprehensive town dog leash law at their last meeting, many West Hartford officials expressed surprise that there was none on the books prior.

That's no longer the case.

The West Hartford Town Council voted unanimously June 23 to adopt a new ordinance requiring dogs to be leashed on public property, expanding existing regulations that previously applied only to parks and playgrounds.

The ordinance passed on a 7-0 vote after a public hearing and council discussion during the council's final meeting before the summer recess.

Under the new law, dog owners and keepers must keep dogs under control using a leash or similar physical restraint no longer than 6 feet while on public highways, streets, sidewalks, and all other town-owned property.

The ordinance also specifies that anyone accompanying a dog is considered a keeper for enforcement purposes.

Town officials said the measure closes a gap in the town's existing code, which prohibited dogs from roaming free in parks and playgrounds but did not cover other municipal property, including streets and sidewalks.

West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith said the ordinance expands the town's existing leash requirements beyond parks.

"The amended ordinance will expand the leash requirement town-wide. Right now, our town code requires a dog to be on a leash in our town parks, but now our sidewalks and other public spaces," Ledwith said. "This ordinance will provide clarity for all of our dog owners in town."

Ledwith also told the council the town notified dog owners about the ordinance through its dog license database.

According to the ordinance, the change is intended to improve public safety by reducing the risk of dog bites, attacks, and accidents involving pedestrians and other animals.

The council cited data from the West Hartford Animal Control Officer showing more than 100 calls involving roaming dogs between 2023 and 2025.

About half occurred on town-owned property, and 64 resulted in incident reports involving a person or another dog being bitten by an off-leash dog.

Mayor Shari Cantor, a Democrat, said those statistics underscored the need for the ordinance.

"I was surprised when we started to learn that we had about 100 cases of dogs off leash and 64 led to bites of a person from another dog," Cantor said.

During the public hearing, West Hartford resident Elizabeth Keifer urged the council to adopt the ordinance, saying many residents she has spoken with were surprised the town's previous leash requirement applied only to parks and ballfields.

Keifer compared West Hartford's former ordinance with Glastonbury's broader leash law covering town property.

"I think it makes sense for us to move toward that," Keifer said. "I'm somebody has gone through three dog bites from unleashed dogs."

Keifer said she had previously been involved in legal action in Massachusetts after being bitten by a dog and recalled carrying a tennis racket while walking in college there because roaming dogs were common.

"I just think for dogs attacking people, possible traffic issues, this would be kind of a no-brainer and it is probably long overdue for a town of this size with the amount of dogs," she said.

Council members from both parties voiced support for the measure before voting.

Republican Councilman John Lyons said he was surprised to learn the town lacked a comprehensive leash law.

"I have to admit, I too, when this came up several months ago, said 'How do we not have a leash law?'" Lyons said, adding that it would improve safety for people and other dogs.

Democratic Councilman Barry Walters also supported the ordinance.

"It is probably about time for some folks ... that everything caught up," Walters said. "I think it is a very good thing for our community."

The ordinance includes an exception for dogs inside enclosed dog parks designated by the town manager, where leashes will not be required.

The West Hartford Police Department will enforce the ordinance by issuing citations identifying the alleged violation and its approximate location.

Violations carry escalating fines of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense, and $99 for a third and each subsequent offense within the same calendar year.

The ordinance also preserves the town's authority to pursue other enforcement measures when appropriate.

Dog owners who receive citations may appeal them in writing within 10 days to a citation hearing officer under the town's existing appeals process.

For the minutes of the June 23 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

From June 4: 'Expanded Dog Leash Law Mulled In West Hartford'