July 19, 2002
Pet Registration Laws:
Dogs over four months old must be licensed annually and vaccinated against rabies. Dogs must be inoculated against rabies before a dog owner can purchase a dog license. Dog licenses cost $5 per year for spayed/neutered animals and $10 for fertile animals.
To obtain a $5 license, owners must show proof that the animal has been spayed/neutered by a veterinarian or is infertile. All dogs must have a license tag securely attached to a collar and worn whenever the dog is off the owner's property.
Cats over four months old must be inoculated against rabies but are not required to be licensed.
Leash Laws:
It is against the law to allow animals to run at large on public property. Dogs must be held on a leash when not on the owner's property
It is against the law to allow animals to trespass on another person's property.
Animals must be kept in sanitary conditions. Fairfax County also requires that a dog owner be responsible for the removal of excreta deposited by the dog on private or public property.
County Dog Parks:
Blake Lane Off-Leash Dog Area allows dog to run free of leashes. Those accompanying dogs must be over the age of 16, and those ages eight to 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under eight are not permitted in the area.
Female dogs in heat are also not allowed, and neither are dogs under the age of four months.
There is a maximum of two dogs per handler.
This park is a pilot program in Fairfax County, and is located at the intersection of Blake Lane and Bushman Drive in Oakton.
Exotic Pet Laws:
It is against the law in Fairfax County to keep wild or exotic animals as pets.