Zurich bans dogs from 450-meter stretch of Sihl riverbank

The Allmend, Zurich's largest green space and a popular dog park, is implementing a new restriction. A 450-meter stretch along the right bank of the Sihl river will become a dog-free zone, separating it from the popular Richi's Kiosk, a hub for dog owners.

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For less dog-affine people, it restricts the use of the Allmend. Many recreation seekers feel disturbed by off-leash dogs or dogs on a long leash, especially families with small children.

The city's Department of Civil Engineering, led by Councilor Simone Brander, justified the ban by stating that while the Allmend is widely accepted as a dog-friendly area, off-leash or long-leash dogs disturb those less fond of canines, particularly families with young children. The area has seen an increase in families due to new housing developments.

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Even dogs on a leash can unsettle many people, especially children.

Brander emphasized that a leash-only rule would not suffice, as even leashed dogs can intimidate people, especially children. The ban aims to reduce the risk of biting incidents or other negative interactions. This measure aligns with a 2003 usage concept that already designated the right Sihl riverbank as a "dog-free zone," a designation that had not been enforced until now, partly due to ongoing river renaturation efforts by the canton.

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repeatedly a renaturation of the Sihl