Reminder to keep dogs on a leash

Hot Springs State Park Superintendent Kevin Skates wants to remind tourists and local residents that dogs must have a leash while in the State Park.

Skates said, “We have a leash law in the park, and there is a fine associated with dogs off their leash. As a staff, we don’t have time to go around and tell everybody that you’ve got to have your dog on the leash. So we hope people would at least obey that rule. Not all people that are in the park, whether they’re walking or riding their bike or whatever, not all people like animals or some people are scared of dogs. And it can cause a problem.” 

To help accommodate people with dogs and give them the opportunity to run free, Skates said, “Several years ago a dog park was built so that people had a place to take their dogs and let them run around.” The dog park is near the Park Street bridge, next to the railroad tracks.

Skates emphasized the importance of following the leash law and said, “It’s very important for people to know that they can be fined and charged. We’ve actually had a situation years ago where a person was charged for a vicious animal and they ended up having to put him to sleep because we had more than one problem with that same animal. So they just need to be aware that there is a leash law and we would like them to obey it.”