The city of Winter Park will soon begin checking dog tags for safety reasons at its popular dog park.

  • Lake Baldwin Dog Park to start checking for updated dog licenses
  • Dogs will have to wear visible, valid tags on collars
  • Could be fined up to $100 if not in compliance

Beginning on October 1, Lake Baldwin Park rangers will check to see if every dog has a visible, valid tag on their collar. They'll make sure the license and vaccination is up to date.

"When I first read it, I just thought it was some nonsense," said dog owner Sean Nugent, who visits the off-leash park with his dog Brownie. "But thinking about it long and hard, being an animal lover, I wouldn't want anything to happen to my dog, so go for it."

It's a rule Nugent said he has no problem following in exchange for free access to the dog-friendly park.

"I haven't really had any issues. She is a rescue dog so I'm just trying to take it one-step at a time, figure out what she likes, what she doesn't like," Nugent added.

According to Orange County code: "All dogs, cats and ferrets in Orange County shall have displayed on its collar a current rabies vaccination tag, when not confined inside the owner's or keeper's home." 

Brownie's owner agrees saying it's a matter of safety for two-legged and four-legged friends.

"It's probably one of the best things that they could probably do," Nugent said. "Who knows, one dog could have rabies and something happen and next thing you know, I have rabies because I got bitten or Millie could get rabies because she got bitten or Brownie could get rabies because Brownie got bit."

Park rangers will be doing the checks as part of their normal job. City leaders said there's no added costs associated with the checks.

According to Clarissa Howard, the communications director for the city of Winter Park, the motivation for enforcement is fourfold:

  1. Keep park guests, both 2-legged and 4-legged, safe and healthy
  2. Educate park visitors about the existing ordinance
  3. Encourage compliance with Orange County's code
  4. Remind pet owners of the requirements for current vaccinations and licensing

Dog owners could be fined up to $100 for failing to comply with the county dog ordinance at Lake Baldwin Park.