From walking on a lead to where they can and cannot go – and how far away from you they can be before being considered out of your control – here are the rules dog walkers must follow in France.
Whether you live in France, or are just visiting on holiday, the rules regarding walking your dog are the same.
Leads/ leashes
Your dog can be off the lead/leash most of the time – unless otherwise stated – but it is always the owner’s responsibility to keep them under control.
It’s advised that dogs wear a collar with the owner’s name and address, but this is not a legal requirement, although a microchip is (more on that below).
Seasonal laws
If you’re walking your dog in a rural or wooded area between April 15th and June 30th, be aware of the ‘spring law’ that means it is illegal for your dog to be off the lead in forests, meadow, riverbanks, unless you are on a designated path.
The reason is to prevent dogs from disturbing nesting birds or animals that have young — and owners can be fined up to €750 for flouting it.
READ ALSO The little-known French law that could see dog owners fined €750 this spring
Summer at the seaside
There is no national ban on dogs at beaches — but local authorities can and do impose restrictions by local decree.
As a result, many beaches prohibit access to dogs, though they may be tolerated outside supervised areas. Be aware that many beaches have different rules in the winter and the summer.
If a ban is in place, whether it’s for the entire year or for high season, anyone breaking the rules risks an instant fine, which is usually between €11 and €68.
To find out if your dog will be allowed on the beach, visit the website of the tourist office of the town you are visiting, or check their website. You can also consult a map of beaches that allow pets.
What about assistance dogs?
The Code de l’action sociale et des familles (CASF), which governs the rights of disabled persons, recognises that assistance dogs are essential to enable their owners to participate fully in society.
People with assistance dogs have the right to take their animals into public places where pets are otherwise prohibited, including restaurants, shops, hotels, public buildings and including buses, trains and trams. Or beaches. Service dog owners do not have to pay extra or show tickets for their dog.
READ ALSO Your rights in France with a guide dog or assistance animal
What about emotional support animals?
Emotional support animals are considered pets in France and treated that way, so don’t get dispensation to enter restaurants, shops, hotels, public buildings and including buses, trains and trams. Or beaches.
READ ALSO Are emotional support animals recognised in France?
Clean-up after your dog
You might not believe it if you have worked along certain streets in Paris, but it is in fact illegal in France to just walk on after your dog has done its business on the pavement, public road, green space or public parks reserved for children. You can be fined if you fail to pick up after your pet.
An owner who leaves their animal’s excrement on the public highway risks a fine of up to €750 if caught in the act.
READ ALSO What you need to know about owning a dog in France
Roaming rights
Animal owners are responsible for any damage it may cause, whether it is under your care, or has strayed or escaped. In fact, it is forbidden to let your animal roam free.
A dog is considered to be roaming if it is in one of the following situations:
- It is no longer under the effective supervision of its owner;
- It is out of earshot of its owner or any sound device that could be used to recall it;
- It is more than 100m from its owner, or the person responsible for it.
Allowing a dog to roam can be punished with a fine of €150. A court may also decide to permanently entrust the animal to a foundation or animal protection association.
READ ALSO Paperwork and shots: How to bring a pet to France from the US
Fighting and biting
If your dog has bitten someone, you will be required to have the dog’s behaviour evaluated by a département veterinarian (which will be available on the préfecture website), and placed on a danger scale (ranked from 1 to 4), this inspection will be at your own expense.
The veterinarian will send the results of the assessment to the town hall, and depending on how it goes, the mairie may require that your dog undergo behaviour assessment and accident prevention training (also at your expense).
Depending on the results of the assessment, the mayor or local authority could decide for the dog to be euthanised.
You will also need to submit your pet for health surveillance, even if they have been vaccinated against rabies.
This involves taking the animal to three visits with the same veterinarian over a 15-day period. The first visit must be within 24 hours of the bite, the second should be within seven days, and the third should be within 15 days.
READ ALSO What is the law on dangerous dogs in France?
The same rule applies if your dog is bitten by or bites another dog: the owner is financially responsible for any damage caused.
According to animal rights group, Fonds Saint Bernard, when it comes to a fight between dogs, there is no obligation to report the bite to local authorities or to get the aggressor’s behaviour assessed.
However, the owner of the dog that was bitten can file a complaint against for financial compensation or damages (for instance, if the incident leads to the dog’s death). They can also request that the mayor call for a behavioural assessment of the dog that did the biting.
And remember…
Under French law, pet dogs must be registered on a national database if you live here. This applies whether you get a dog in France, or whether you move to France with your dog.
The animal must be identifiable by a tattoo or microchip – the latter is by far the most common method – that is registered on the Identification des Carnivores Domestiques (I-CAD) database.
The procedure to insert the microchip, or ink the tattoo, must be carried out by an approved professional. The procedure costs between €40 and €70.
Once the animal is registered on the database, the owner will receive a letter from I-CAD, along with a credit card-sized document listing the registered animal’s details, including its home address.
