You asked if the Camp Creaser Park agreement between the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the town of Coventry restricts dog owners from bringing dogs there. You also asked if any statutes, such as "leash laws," would restrict dogs from this property if the town changed a local ordinance that bans dogs from public parks.

SUMMARY

The DEP placed no restrictions on dogs in its Camp Creaser Park agreement with Coventry, according to Chuck Reed, DEP's Director of land acquisition and management.

The statutes do not mandate that dogs be on leashes at all times, but they specify that an owner must always keep his dog under control and off of private property (unless authorized). Local government decides on leash requirements. But the DEP does require that dogs be kept on leashes in state parks.

If Coventry changed its "no dogs in public parks" ordinance, the statutes do not appear to prohibit dogs under their owners' control from being in Camp Creaser Park.

CONNECTICUT LAW

A dog owner must always accompany his dog and control it. The owner of a dog that is known to be vicious and that bites anyone or damages property can be fined up to $ 1,000 or imprisoned for up to six months, or both. A dog may not roam onto anyone else's property without permission or be unaccompanied on any part of a public highway. A dog's unauthorized roaming on private property or a public highway is an infraction for which fines vary. But this statute is not to be construed to limit or prohibit the use of hunting dogs during hunting or training season (CGS § 22-364).

Another statute imposes strict liability on dog owners whether or not a dog is known to be vicious. It imposes strict liability as long as the dog was not provoked (teased) or the person the dog bit was not trespassing or attempting to assault its owner (CGS § 22-357).

Copies of the statutes are attached.

JRH: ts