Dogs Must Be On Leashes In Palm Beach County.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Greenacres man is facing multiple charges after Florida Fish and Wildlife officers allegedly caught him using unleashed dogs to hog hunt in a protected management area. Richard James Belcher, 21, was arrested Monday night following a confrontation at the Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Area. According to investigators, the incident began when officers responded to reports of two men using dogs to hunt hogs within the restricted grounds.
When Officer Amanda Simmons arrived at the Cypress Boardwalk Trail, she reportedly found Belcher with another individual and three dogs. The dogs were equipped with GPS tracking and corrective collars but were not on leashes or under any form of physical restraint. Belcher allegedly admitted to the officer that he and his companion did not have leashes for the animals. He further acknowledged that he was well aware there was no open season for hunting and that dogs are strictly prohibited for taking hogs in that specific area.
The situation grew more complicated when officers inspected the animals. According to the arrest report, one of the three dogs failed to have a collar or tag displaying the owner’s name and address, which is a state requirement for dogs used in tracking or trailing wildlife. This violation added to a growing list of charges for Belcher, whom officials noted has a prior history of similar conservation violations within the Dupuis WEA.
Belcher was booked into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center on several second-degree misdemeanor charges, including violation of South Florida Water Management regulations, hunting during a closed season, and failing to properly tag a hunting dog. He is set for an April court date.
