Dog owners who let their pets off-leash on Oak Park streets risk a citation after the village's Animal Control division issued a fresh enforcement reminder Thursday, Aug. 6.
The rule: every dog on any street, sidewalk, parkway or public area in Oak Park must be on a leash no longer than eight feet, controlled by the owner. No exceptions apply on public property outside two designated off-leash areas.
The Oak Park Police Department posted the reminder on its official X account, noting that Village Animal Control officials are actively enforcing the requirement.
Where dogs can run free
The Park District of Oak Park operates two off-leash dog parks, both free to residents who obtain a dog park permit:
- Maple Park Dog Park at the corner of Maple and Lexington (approximately 12,000 square feet), featuring crushed granite surface, benches, a canine water fountain and an electronic entry system.
- Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex Dog Park just south of Lake Street and Scoville Avenue (approximately 11,000 square feet), with crushed granite, benches, water fountains for dogs and humans, and electronic entry.
Owners who violate dog park rules face fines of up to $1,000, according to the Park District's dog parks page. The Village of Oak Park Animal Control Officer and Oak Park Police conduct periodic monitoring at both locations.
New officer on the beat
The reminder comes weeks after Animal Control Officer Francisco Silva was sworn in during a late-July ceremony at Village Hall, according to the Village Manager's Weekly Report. Silva, certified through the National Animal Care & Control Association, joined the Public Health Department in July and is responsible for enforcing local animal codes.
The enforcement notice also follows OPD's launch of its Dog Walker Watch program on July 29, which enlisted dog walkers as neighborhood safety observers. That program is separate from leash law enforcement.
How to report violations
Residents who spot off-leash dogs or other animal-related concerns can contact Animal Control at 708-358-5480 or by emailing [email protected], according to the village's Animal Control page.
