[**Please Note**] Instead of chipping in to promote the petition on change.org, I urge you to share the petition together with your own personal experiences with being attacked and post on Nextdoor or local Facebook groups. I have found this to be 10x more effective for the campaign.

Many Marin County residents love animals and value the bond shared with their pets. However, troubling incidents involving off-leash dogs are becoming far too common.

One woman was hospitalized with a broken shoulder after being knocked over by an off-leash dog, leaving her unable to work. In another case, a woman and her child were cornered by an aggressive off-leash dog, putting them in a frightening situation. Leashed dogs have also been attacked, leaving owners with costly vet bills and trauma.

I’ve personally faced four incidents where off-leash dogs aggressively approached me. While no harm was done, these near misses highlight how quickly things can escalate.

This is not an isolated problem—it’s a growing issue that demands action to ensure the safety of people, pets, and wildlife in our community.

What’s especially frustrating is that irresponsible dog owners often get away with these incidents. When an off-leash dog causes harm, fear, or injury, it’s the victims—whether human or canine—who are left to deal with the emotional and physical consequences. Meanwhile, the owners of these off-leash dogs face little to no accountability. This lack of enforcement only perpetuates the problem, leaving the rest of us to navigate public spaces in fear.

This issue is particularly distressing for responsible dog owners, whose leashed pets are frequently the ones targeted in these encounters. Dogs naturally become agitated by other dogs, especially when one is off-leash, leading to tense confrontations or even outright attacks.

Although many cities already have leash laws requiring dogs to be on a leash in public spaces, these laws are inconsistently enforced, and off-leash dogs remain a widespread issue. To address this, we urge local authorities to:

 • Require all dogs to be on a leash in most hiking trails and public areas unless they are within designated off-leash areas.

 • Ensure there are large, designated off-leash areas located close to neighborhoods or within a reasonable driving distance. These spaces provide dogs with safe environments to run free while reducing the likelihood of owners allowing their dogs off-leash in prohibited areas. To reinforce this, impose heavy fines for violations outside designated zones, promoting compliance and public safety.

 • Consider allowing certified, well-trained dogs to go off-leash outside designated areas with clear identification (e.g., a tag or vest). Impose heavy fines for misuse, such as fake IDs or unqualified dogs, and clearly communicate these penalties to ensure compliance and maintain safety.

 • Strengthen enforcement efforts by dedicating more resources to monitoring public spaces such as neighborhoods, trails, and beaches.

 • Provide clearer signage in public areas to remind dog owners of leash requirements and designate off-leash zones. The current method of communication is unclear, leading to confusion among community members, as off-leash dogs are seen in any trail and neighborhoods as well as hikers walking into designated areas without knowledge.

 • Raise public awareness about existing leash laws and the importance of compliance for community safety. Education can be done via Marin Humane adoption, social media, websites, or local news.

These are just proposed solutions, and we recognize that the final approach may look different. However, it is critical that local authorities take action by investigating these incidents, compiling statistics, and experimenting with different methods to address the issue effectively. It may take time to arrive at the best solution, but we need to urge decision-makers to start addressing the problem now and work toward meaningful changes.

Existing leash laws are a step in the right direction, but without proper enforcement and expansion to all applicable spaces, the risks remain. These measures will help ensure accountability and create safer, more respectful spaces for everyone—dogs, owners, and passersby alike.

Please sign this petition to help protect people, dogs, and wildlife in our community. Together, we can urge authorities to take meaningful action and work toward a safer solution for all.