Validate Date for Kendo Filter Field

[Brian]

I am using a Kendo.Filter object like the following to filter results in a Kendo Grid:

@(Html.Kendo().Filter<CustomPersonClass>()
     .Name("personFilter")
     .DataSource("peopleDS")
     .ApplyButton(false)
     .Fields(f =>
     {
         f.Add(p => p.LastName).Label("Last Name");
         f.Add(p => p.FirstName).Label("First Name");
         f.Add(p => p.MiddleName).Label("Middle Name");
         f.Add(p => p.StartDate).Label("Start Date").Operators(o => o.Date(d => d.Eq("Is equal to").Gte("Greater than equal").Lte("Less than equal")));
     })
)

 I have helper code to handle the toolbar in my Kendo Grid like the following, :

@helper ToolbarTemplate()
{
    <button class="k-button k-button-solid k-button-solid-base" id="applyFilter"><span class="k-icon k-i-filter"></span>Apply Filter</button>
    <button class="k-button k-button-solid k-button-solid-base" id="clearFilter">Reset</button>
    <button class="k-button k-grid-excel k-button-solid k-button-solid-base"><span class="k-icon k-i-excel"></span>Export to Excel</button>
}

I also have some JavaScript in a function to apply the filter when the Apply Filter button is clicked, as seen here:

$("#applyFilter").click(function (e) {
    //e.preventDefault();
    var myFilter = $("#personFilter").getKendoFilter();
    localStorage["kendo-person-filter-options"] = kendo.stringify(myFilter.getOptions().expression);
    myFilter.applyFilter();
});

 

The problem I am having is if I enter an invalid Leap Year date (e.g. 2/29/2003, since 2023 didn't have a February 29th), I get no data back; however, if I enter a valid Leap Year (e.g. 2/29/2004), my Kendo Grid will show data.  Is there a way to validate the date that is being entered manually into a DatePicker field used for filtering?  That is, if I use the DatePicker, it will not show me 2/29/2003 as an option, but if I type in 2/29/2003 and click Apply Filter, it doesn't throw any kind of error about 2/29/2003 being invalid.