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.