Dog owners face fines under new leash ordinance

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Starting soon, if you're caught walking your dog without a leash in the city of Los Angeles then be prepared to pay a hefty fine.

Under a new ordinance, dogs will be required to be on leashes outside of dog parks. The first offense will cost $100, the second will be $250 and the third will be $500.

According to City Councilman Paul Koretz, he and other members of the council received many complaints from residents about dogs running around neighborhoods without a leash. The city attorney then amended the city's current law so that instead of residents receiving a ticket that would go on their record, they will be given an administrative citation -- you don't have to go to court, just pay the fine.

Koretz said the ordinance could generate a lot of money for the city.

"I think this'll bring in a couple million dollars. It's hard to say exactly how much, but we believe that this will at least match the cost of enforcement," he said.

Oakland resident Sammy Casas said he believes the ordinance is reasonable for dog owners.

"I mean a lot of us love our pets, they're like family. The leash is really a form of protection for them. And so, I think it's a way of making the owner accountable," he said.

But Tessa Richardson of East Hollywood is on the fence about the new rule.

"I have a very well-behaved dog, so I am pretty against it personally. But I also understand it in the general sense for people who don't pick their dog's crap up [or] don't have well-behaved animals," she said.

Los Feliz resident Rich Oravek said if the city is going to enforce leashes and fine owners, then the city needs to offer more designated areas for dogs.

"They should have more areas of open parks, not just dog parks," he said. "There's a big difference with grass versus just dogs being on the ground. I mean, they love running in the grass."

Mayor Eric Garcetti is expected to sign the ordinance soon. According to City Hall, the new rule could take effect as early as next month.