Residents Urge Action on Off-Leash Dogs
Brickell, Miami — The community calls for urgent action to address the ongoing issue of off-leash dogs following a high-profile incident on Brickell Key. The incident involving a confrontation between several individuals and a dog has sparked media attention locally and internationally.
Last week, a dog owner entered Brickell Key with his Doberman off the leash and refused to comply when security requested that he leash the dog. This led to a viral altercation with a few concerned neighbors. This altercation, though unusual, highlights a daily issue faced by the Brickell community. In 2023, a staggering 620 instances of off-leash dogs were reported by the Brickell Key security team, a number that does not even include unreported cases. This alarming statistic underscores the pressing need for action.
Residents and visitors frequently ignore the instructions of the private security team, allowing their dogs to roam freely. This behavior poses significant risks to both humans and pets in the area.
Despite our close communication with the Miami Police Department, they have informed us that they lack the authority to issue citations for these violations. This authority rests with Animal Services. Unfortunately, Animal Services is currently under-resourced, leading to inconsistent enforcement of the leash laws.
There are no practical consequences for violating leash laws, leading to a lack of compliance and increased danger for all residents. A recent attack at Margaret Pace Park, where a Rottweiler severely attacked and injured a child, underscores the urgency of this issue.
In the City of Miami, the enforcement of leash laws primarily falls under the jurisdiction of Animal Services rather than the Miami Police Department. According to Miami-Dade County regulations, Animal Care and Control is responsible for enforcing animal control laws, including those pertaining to dogs being on leashes. While the Miami Police can respond to incidents involving off-leash dogs, they do not have the authority to issue citations specifically for leash law violations; this responsibility lies with Animal Services.
Therefore, we strongly urge the Commission to grant the City of Miami police the authority to impose civil citations for leash law violations. Additionally, we call for the allocation of additional resources to tackle this issue. The need for effective deterrents is paramount to prevent another serious incident and ensure the safety of our community.