OSLO, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- As moose and roe deer have difficulties in big snow in Norway's capital city Oslo, the local government has introduced an extraordinary leash rule to protect wild animals from being hunted by loose dogs, newspaper Aftenposten reported Thursday.

Loose dogs can injure or kill the hunted game and the hunting can cause exhaustion and great stresses for the wild animals, according to the Oslo municipality.

The new measure, which requires dogs to be kept on a leash or fenced, except for the city's central area within the Ring 3 and free areas for dogs, is introduced as of Feb. 6 and applies until further notice.

According to the regulations of Oslo, dogs must be leashed between April 1 and Aug. 20.

In winters with special snow and cold conditions, the municipality can adopt regulations on extraordinary leashing of dogs for the sake of wildlife, while in some protected areas the requirement is valid throughout the year.