Quick answer
Off-leash dog walking has been illegal in Dubai's public areas — including parks and beaches — since June 2017.
What we won't tell you, and why: A specific fine amount. Sources disagree by a factor of two and neither is Dubai Municipality itself — see below for exactly what they say.
The prohibition
In Dubai, it has been illegal for dogs to be walked off-leash in public areas since June 2017. That explicitly includes parks and beaches, which is the reason genuinely off-leash dog beaches are rare rather than the default — see the breed-by-beach access matrix for the three that are.
The fine — an unresolved question, published honestly
We found two secondary sources naming a specific fine, and they don’t agree. Rather than pick whichever number sounds more plausible, we’re publishing both and stating clearly that we don’t know which is right.
Two figures, neither confirmed
What an off-leash dog in a Dubai public area can cost you
What we publish: We publish the prohibition — a leash is legally required — but not a specific fine figure, until we can confirm the amount directly with Dubai Municipality.Reviewed 3 August 2026.
Beyond Dubai
Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism authority explicitly lists individual beaches — Flamingo Beach, Al Jazeerah Beach — as requiring a leash. That confirms the policy at those specific beaches, but it is not the same as a documented emirate-wide public leash law the way Dubai’s June 2017 rule is.
General leash law outside Dubai — not yet confirmed
We have not found and confirmed a general public-area leash statute for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman or Fujairah, separate from individual beaches’ own posted rules. Until we do, treat each beach’s own leash policy — stated on its own page — as the operative rule there, not a general emirate law.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to walk a dog off-leash in Dubai?
Yes. Dog owners have been required to keep dogs on a leash in public areas — explicitly including parks and beaches — since June 2017. This is why only a handful of beaches in the UAE are genuinely off-leash, and why even those don't apply to restricted breeds.
How much is the fine for an off-leash dog in Dubai?
We don't know a confirmed figure. Two secondary sources give different numbers — one says at least AED 10,000, another says up to AED 5,000 — and neither is Dubai Municipality itself. We publish the prohibition, not a number, until we can confirm it directly.
Do other emirates have the same leash law as Dubai?
We haven't confirmed a general public leash law for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman or Fujairah the way we have for Dubai. What we do have are individual beaches' own leash policies — see each beach's page for that.
Sources
| Claim | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Off-leash dog walking illegal in Dubai since June 2017, including parks and beaches | The Pets Club — dog-friendly beaches guide, updated 15 Jul 2026 | Blog, dated |
| Fine of “at least AED 10,000” for an off-leash dog in Dubai | The Pets Club | Unconfirmed figure |
| Fine of “up to AED 5,000” for an off-leash dog | Aura Vet Centre — leash laws guide | Unconfirmed figure |