Woodsom Farm in Amesbury with your dog: fields, the Powow River and the leash law

The city's Woodsom Farm page lists dog walking first among its popular uses, ahead of sledding, hiking and organized events, and it posts no specific rule for dogs. That does not make it an off-leash field. Amesbury's animal control by-law, linked from the city's Animal Control page, says a dog away from its owner's premises must be restrained by a chain or leash no longer than six feet, unless it is on another person's land with permission. A city park is public land, so the leash applies.

The Animal Control page says the animal control officer takes complaints about leash and restraint laws, pet waste and licensing, and may educate, warn or cite. Under the by-law, letting a dog run at large costs $10 for a first offense within a year and $25 for each one after that in the same year, and owners must pick up after a dog in parks and other public areas. Plan on the leash and on carrying bags.

The Powow River forms the farm's western border, and the city's page is unusually direct about it: follow the main trail from the soccer-fields lot to a swimming hole where dogs and people can often be found taking a dip. Kayakers reach the same spot by paddling 3.8 miles upriver from Lake Gardner beach. Expect company on a hot day, and keep a wet, excited dog from shaking off beside somebody's picnic.

A river swim is a fresh judgment each time. Look at the water before your dog goes in: after heavy rain a river runs faster and muddier, and a dog on a leash in current is hard to manage from the bank. Keep the leash on, stay at the edge and let your dog choose how deep to go. If your dog is unwell after a swim or after drinking river water, call your vet and tell them where it swam.

A Powow River dog gets home wet to the skin and usually muddy to the elbows. Our bath and brush washes, dries and brushes out the coat, priced by size from $55 for a dog up to 25 pounds to $85 over 90 pounds and $95 for an extra-large long coat. Grooming needs no evaluation. Add a nail trim for $16, or Shed Release for $10 for a double coat that holds the river for hours.

Amesbury is outside the Pup Van towns, so ask us about pick-up or drive down to Gloucester. A dog that has done its free evaluation can spend a $42 daycare day in a matched playgroup and have its bath before you collect it. We never take dogs to Woodsom Farm or its river; the swim is your outing, and the towel and dryer work can be ours.