Dogs: general information

The Municipality of The Hague has loads of amenities and free-run areas for dogs but at the same time 'pooper-scoopers' are mandatory everywhere in the city.

Fines

Dog owners will be obliged to clean up after their dogs everywhere in the city, including the free-run areas (uitrengebieden or uitlaatplekken) or they face a fine of € 100. Dog owners who are caught without their dog on a lead in non free-run areas or who cannot produce their pooper-scooper risk a fine of € 70. And finally if they let their dogs out in an area where dogs are not allowed, they should be prepared to pay a € 100 fine.

In particular areas of the city, the centre and Scheveningen, for example, dog waste left behind illegally is vacuumed up due to the high concentration of visitors: poop-covered streets and sidewalks give the city a bad name.

Poop-scoop Bags

The hondenbelasting, or dog tax, collected from dog owners is used for this and other initiatives such as dog run areas, poop receptacles and signs, informational material and poop-scoop bags. You can pick up the poop-scoop bags at the local sub-municipal offices and city farms (stadsboerderijen).

Kids in the City is a foundation in The Hague promoting clean streets and play areas.

• Dog rules for owners
  Rules for dog owners in the city of The Hague.
  
• Poop facts
  The straight poop on dog waste.
  
• Dog rules for tourists
  A brochure entitled “Dogs in The Hague” is available in four languages.
  
• Dogs on beach during summer
  From 15 May to 1 October dogs are permitted at only a few spots on The Hague’s beaches. In order to give dog owners the chance to enjoy the beach with their dogs during the summer months, several sections of the beach have been designated a free-run area.
  
• Free-run areas for dogs
  At the end of April 2008 The Hague Municipal Executive redesignated the areas where dogs may roam freely and where they are not allowed.