Dog Question
 

I want to play fetch with my dog, but to do so he has to be off leash. Can anybody tell me of a rather large area that is available for off-leash dogs to do such things?

Thanks for your input.

All of the dog parks.

Most people let thier dogs off leash in the very large field behind pool on Rio Grande. It is probably 30 acres or so if you want to be away from other dogs and people.

Good input so far. :)

Any areas near the Mallory Square, Lake Miona or Lake Sumter Landing?

Wherever you go do not let the dog off leash near water. I live in the village of Bonita and a dog was killed by an alligator when a Grandson let his Grandparent's dog off leash by the pond on Canal Street.

There is a dog park near the intersection of Buena Vista and Bonita Blvd, behind the fire station, that you can use.

Doggie Doo Run Run is about one mile north of Southern Trace Shopping Center. It is on the right as you drive north on CR101. CR 101 is Belvedere before it crosses CR466.

10 acre dog park with a small and a big dog section and a 5 acre back field.

Dogs are not allowed "Off Leash", anywhere in The Villages (or most of Florida), other than Dog Parks. The Villages has 8 Dog Parks I'm aware of and as someone else mentioned, Doggie Do Run Run is great. (Dog Parks)

Please don't let your dog off leash anywhere in The Villages. Anyone who tells you, "oh, people do it all the time at (such & such place)" are part of the problem. It's against the Law in every County in and around TV.

Actually, the county “leash law” uses the term DIRECT CONTROL. Defined as…

Direct control shall mean immediate and continuous physical control of an animal at all times such as by means of a fence, leash, cord, or chain of sufficient strength to restrain the animal; or in the case of specifically trained working, agricultural or hunting animals which immediately respond to such commands, while working; direct control shall also include aural or oral control, if the controlling person is at all times clearly and fully within the unobstructed sight and hearing of the animal

If you have a trained dog, who responds to oral commands, they are in direct control. Most states’ and county “leash laws” use similar definitions.

Just a suggestion, but you should read that again. In Sumter County, the only situation where "direct control" includes "aural or oral control", is if the dog is "specifically trained working, agricultural .... ".

All NON-WORKING dogs are required to be under "continuous physical control" in Sumter County.

Other counties have different definitions. For example, Marion County (which part of TV is located) defines "Direct Control" as: "Direct control shall mean the immediate, continuous physical control of an animal by means of confining within a house, building, fence, pen or other enclosure, or restrained by means of leash, cord, chain, or similar tether of sufficient strength to restrain the animal subject to the restrictions provided herein."

The Villages Community Development Districts also require ALL dogs on TV property to be physically Leashed: "Pet Friendly Informational Guidelines:

"All dogs are required to be on a leash at all times, dogs are not allowed off leash on any athletic field or other public areas. Not allowing pets to play and walk on common area landscaping." (Dog Parks.)

You’re always welcome to play with your dog off leash on our property, as long as my wife and I can toss the ball or frisbee a couple times as well.

You can have dog of leash in your own yard but only if dog stays in your yard.

buy a courtyard villa with an enclosed backyard, but beware of wild predators that can jump over a wall and kill your baby

No, not really, nice try though. Wouldn’t want to be your insurance company.

Surely the amount of area required to play catch with your dog, depends on how far the dog can throw the ball.

Ditto. To add, dogs have even been on leash and killed by Gators. South of 44 has many areas where you hear the deep frog-like calls of the gators. T V goes out of there way to have very nice dog parks. Could always use more of them but they do make them nice and actually comfortable with shade pavillions and even the ability to rinse the furbabies down if you need to.

If you want to really let your dog run there is a dog beach somewhere near New Smyrna Beach. It's a dedicated area just for dogs.

off of rolling acres rd there is a large park and driving range. you can get there by car or golf cart of you know where the path entrance is located I have seen people let their dogs run in that area.

Lake Okahumpka Park off Hwy 44 has a dog park in back, I believe it’s fenced, as well as nice walking paths.

No
specifically trained working, agricultural or hunting animals”which immediately respond to such commands, while working;”
The exception is for agricultural or hunting animals (specifically trained) and only while working

Yes, the Lake Okahumpka Park off of Hwy44 has a fenced dog park. We use it when the Atlas Dog Park is closed for maintenance. It is very nice, as are all The Villages dog parks. Welcome to The Villages. Enjoy everything that The Villages has to offer for your dog.

Has anyone been successful in getting dog leash laws enforced? How did you do it

Sorry, but we had an instance where a person had their dog off leash. We mentioned to him and he said the dog was trained and obedient and therefore was not a problem. We were close to the parking space near the trail and the dog saw the carts and immediately ran, despite the owner trying to call him back to the carts and jump up onto the seat of OUR cart. He was wet and thus made a mess on the seat! ALL dogs should be on a leash in The Villages unless in a fence in area such as some backyards and the Dog Parks!

Why do you feel you can break the law.? Dogs MUST be in leash except in dog park.

When we were harassed by an off-leash dog and its obnoxious owner while walking in our neighborhood, we went to The Villages office in Lake Sumter and filed a written complaint. We also went to the Animal Control Commission for Sumter County and filed a written complaint.

I guess our complaints were successful because the next time we saw the obnoxious owner he had the mutt on a leash.

One of the dogs in our family loved to play ball so much that he quickly learned to “throw” it inside and was very insistent that everybody play ball — not only the family but also visiting friends, the plumber, the window-washers — whoever crossed the threshold — he would go get his ball and invite them to play.

He liked to sit at the top of the inside staircase and drop his ball down the steps to the person waiting at the bottom to throw it back. Basement steps also worked. He was a good catcher, too. He never tired of playing ball, be it outside or inside.

(Of course, TV does not have 2-story houses or basements, so my post is not helpful to the OP……but thanks for indulging me in some memories.)

He was mostly Lab and playing ball was definitely his thing.

I sure miss that sweet dog who made a lot of people smile.

Boomer

There's always 1 in every crowd

I too had Labs that I loved very much (none so talented with a ball as yours though). Wonderful dogs.

There is large fenced dog park near there with two sides large and small dogs Near a wetland walk way.

Dog parks list
Dog Parks

Yes, dog parks!

That's a horse of another color. Officially, the Leash Laws are only enforced by the Counties and you'll usually get told to contact the County. That said, if it's near one of TV's Dog Parks, the local Regional Rec Center who handles the park, *may* help. At Brinson-Perry, they're supposedly installing cameras to enforce the Leash Law.

I can show you a GREAT place if you live south of 44. There are several places to take your dog off leash in The Villages. PM me if you want me to show you.

Terrific. Now folks are offering Guided Tours on how to circumvent completely reasonable TV Regulations.

Dog off leash
 

I always see people with dogs off leash on golf cart path Morse Blvd south of Moyer Loop/Hillsborough Trail.

Dog parks, or your fenced in property.

Same at my house! Maybe your dog and mine can become BFFs.

Thank you!
 

THANK YOU! Tired of people’s untrained dogs ruining it for everyone else. While we’re at it, will you ADDRESS YOUR DOG’S POOP NO MATTER WHERE IT IS! People walk in fields and areas off paths.

i see it too, but i'd be uncomfortable with a play area so close to the road. i know some dogs are used to the place, & know 'how' to play, but all it takes is 1 new dog to get killed

That's just north of my house. I know it well. I'll take my dog up there on walks (sometimes for a ride in the cart), but I always keep her on leash.

Like you said, too close to Morse for my comfort...