St. Petersburg authorities are addressing the issue of improper dog walking due to a high number of dog bite incidents. Despite approximately 5,000 people seeking medical attention for dog bites annually, the number of fines issued for improper dog walking remains comparatively low.

In 2023, 336 protocols were drawn up, resulting in 292 owners being fined. In 2024, 349 protocols were drawn up, leading to 300 owners being fined. However, in the first five months of this year alone, 461 protocols have already been issued, signaling a potential increase in enforcement.

The Committee on Legality is primarily responsible for issuing these fines, while municipal authorities show less involvement. Significant disparities exist across different districts. Some districts, like Pushkin and Kronstadt, report as little as one protocol drawn up per year. In contrast, the Moscow district has already issued 110 protocols in the first six months of this year for offenses such as walking dogs without a muzzle or leash.

The lack of designated dog walking areas exacerbates the problem. The Vyborgsky district has only two such areas, and the Kalininsky district has only one. With an estimated 250,000 dogs in the city, officials acknowledge that the consequences of improper dog keeping are likely to increase.

To address this, the prosecutor’s office has proposed holding a seminar for municipal officials to improve their ability to record and draw up protocols for improper dog walking.