Dog rules for owners

Here you will find information about the required rules and regulations for dog owners and dog caregivers.

Dogs must always be kept on a lead except in marked 'free-run' areas (uitrengebied or uitlaatplek), punishable by a € 70 fine.

• You must clean up after your dog everywhere in the city, including the free-run areas, punishable by a € 100 fine.
• Dog owners must carry a 'pooper-scooper' with them at all times. You must be able to show that you have paper or plastic baggies or a small scoop with you, punishable by a € 70 fine.
  
• No dogs are allowed in children’s play areas or where posted (verboden voor honden). This is punishable by a € 100 fine.
• Dogs are allowed to run freely on the beach. However, no dogs are allowed on the beach, day or night, between 15 May and 1 October except in designated areas on the North Beach (Noorderstrand) next to the Zwarte Pad and the South Beach (Zuiderstrand) next to the Kwartellaan and by Kijkduinpark. Dogs may use the South Beach during the summer between 21.00 and 7.00 hrs.
• Owners of seeing-eye dogs are not obliged to clean up after their dog.
• You do not need a permit for your dog in the Netherlands. However, dogs are taxed. They must be registered with the Municipal Tax Department (Belastingzaken) by sending a letter which includes your contact information, the date you arrived in The Hague, and the number of dogs you have.
  

'De Hondenkaart' contains all the rules plus district maps with all the free-run areas and is available on the Dutch municipal website.