Can my dog be off the lead?
No as a rule — a dog should not be off the lead; a leash duty applies and off-lead is only allowed in specially marked areas. Dog-keeping is governed by municipal by-laws (e.g. the Reykjavík dog by-law) and the Animal Welfare Act no. 55/2013. In Reykjavík and elsewhere a leash duty applies across the whole municipality except in defined off-lead areas and dog parks shown on a map. If a dog gets away from its owner, the owner must catch it at once; a loose dog is caught and taken to a dog pound, and the owner pays all the costs of capture and boarding before getting the dog back. The myth is that dogs may run free "out in nature or in public parks" — that is wrong: the leash is the rule and freedom the exception. Near livestock even stricter rules apply, since a dog that chases or disturbs farm animals can cause damage and liability.
📋 The rules
- Dog-keeping is governed by municipal by-laws and the Animal Welfare Act no. 55/2013; the Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) oversees animal welfare.
- A leash duty generally applies across the whole municipality; off-lead is only allowed in marked off-lead areas and dog parks.
- If a dog gets away, the owner must catch it at once; otherwise it is caught and taken to a dog pound.
- The owner pays all the costs of capture and boarding before the dog is handed back.
- Near livestock stricter rules apply; a dog that chases or disturbs farm animals can cause damage and owner liability.
🔓 Exceptions
- In marked off-lead areas and dog parks, which the municipality publishes on a map, a dog may be off the lead under the owner's control.
- Rules vary by municipality: each sets its own by-law, so leash duty, areas and fees can differ from place to place.
- Special rules apply to service dogs (e.g. guide dogs) and herding, where a working dog operates under control and for a specific task.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
It is the owner who carries the liability, in two senses. First, the capture cost: a loose dog is taken and kept in a dog pound, and the owner must pay all the costs of capture and boarding — which mount up by the day — before getting the dog back. Breaches of the dog by-law can additionally bring fines, whether committed deliberately or through negligence. Second, the civil liability: if a loose dog causes harm — bites someone, runs into a car or disturbs livestock — the owner can bear liability for injury and property damage. The hidden cost is most serious near livestock: a dog that chases or kills farm animals can saddle the owner with heavy liability, and repeated or serious breaches can lead to the dog being removed from the owner or a permit revoked. On top of that, neglect of the dog's own welfare under Act no. 55/2013 can bring in the Food and Veterinary Authority.
📎 Official sources
- Stjórnartíðindi · Reykjavík dog-keeping by-law no. 478/2012 →
- Althingi · Animal Welfare Act no. 55/2013 →
- Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) · pet welfare →
❓ Frequently asked
Can my dog run free in the garden or out in nature?
No, a leash duty generally applies across the whole municipality, and off-lead is only allowed in specially marked off-lead areas and dog parks. Public parks and open ground do not automatically count as off-lead areas, so the dog should be on a lead except where the municipality has marked it specifically.
What happens if my dog escapes and is caught?
A loose dog is caught and taken to a dog pound, and you must pay all the costs of capture and boarding before you get it back. The cost mounts up by the day, and repeated cases or non-payment can lead to further action and even to the dog not being returned.
Do the same rules apply everywhere in the country?
No, each municipality sets its own dog-keeping by-law, so leash duty, off-lead areas and fees can vary from place to place. The leash principle is widespread, however, and the Animal Welfare Act no. 55/2013 applies everywhere under the oversight of the Food and Veterinary Authority.
What if the dog bites someone or disturbs livestock?
The owner can bear civil liability for injury or property damage a loose dog causes, whether it bites a person or runs into a car. Near livestock the liability is heavy: a dog that chases or kills farm animals can saddle the owner with major liability and lead to the dog being removed.
Are there exceptions to the leash duty?
Yes, in marked off-lead areas and dog parks a dog may be off the lead under the owner's control, and special rules apply to service dogs such as guide dogs. Otherwise the leash duty stands, and it is up to the owner to know their municipality's by-law and where freedom is allowed.
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