City Dog Bans?! :(

[Hillary & Charlie]

I live in a very small town that has lately been passing some interesting laws for some interesting reasons.  I love taking Charlie with me usually wherever I go because I work during the day so I don't like leaving him at night when I run errands or do "fun" things.  I also like to walk him daily.  My town just passed a dog ban on city property (city parks, pretty much everywhere!).  The mayor was quoted in the paper saying we didn't ban dogs from the sidewalks.  I understand that they are trying to provide safety for children but I have not heard of any dog related 911 calls lately or really at all.  I was also very upset because someone at the meeting suggested a dog park and one of the councilman said they would not vote for a dog park on city property!  So what do I do?  I can take Charlie on walks but I can't take him to go watch my younger brothers baseball games or take him to the local farmer's market while shopping for local produce.  I think if you are a RESPONSIBLE dog owner, your dog is on a leash, your dog is registered, and you are picking up after them you should be allowed to do with them what you want!  Any suggestions on what I can try to do or say to get at least a doggie park?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

If you figure it out let me know. We have one of those Mayors as well. Said he wouldn't build a dog park because of the liability, but was talking about building a skate park! Talk about liability. All of our schools and ball fields in the entire county have no dog signs. We have all of those irresponsible dog owners that don't scoop their poop, train their dogs and keep them on a leash to thank for all these rules!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have never heard of anything like this!!!! I have no advice, except to move. Just kidding. But really, I cannot imagine our city doing this.
I am so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!

[sandy b]

I know this takes time and effort but you might try to get a petition to change that ban. It depends on how many people in your town have dogs and are willing to take a stand. Also, I assume this councilman is an elected official so if nothing else find a replacement for the next election!! Those bans can always be changed it just take time.
I live in a small town and we don't have a dog park but we can take our dogs to restaurants (outdoor seating), the beach (on leash). We always take Max for Sunday breakfast and he loves the attention.
I do hope you can get the ban lifted.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Best advice I can think of "Get a New Mayor". You could start a lobby with fellow dog owners, who knows with enough pressure a dog park could happen.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

honestly, since I spoke to the Mayor about the dog park, I have learned so much about dog parks, and the irresponsible dog owners in the part of the country where I live, and I wouldn't take my dogs to the park now anyway. I just built my own dog park in my back yard! My girls only seem to want to play with each other anyway, so it really doesn't matter to me any more.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

What would happen if you went through the training and Charlie became a Therapy dog? Then with his jacket on or tag, you could take him anywhere...at least that is what I understand. Even when in training I think you can get a jacket that says "in training". I see dogs all the time that are in training for some sort of service and their jackets say as much. They are allowed to go everywhere!!!! You Mayor can't deny a Therapy Dog!!!!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Nancie ....Unfortunately, being a therapy dog (or a therapy dog in training) doesn't give you a right to go anywhere. A service dog is allowed by law, but not Therapy dogs. Therapy dogs still must have permission and you aren't actually supposed to have the vest on except when you are visiting in a facility.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Our town got a bunch of persistent people with generous donations for things like fencing ect so that the town had to do nothing except donat a piece of worthless propery. There is a membership fee that helps cover costs and improvements to the arrea as well.
As for the pet ban on all property. Pretty hard to enforce unless they want to hire more bylaw officers so I suggest banning together as pet owners and getting on the public propery as often as possible and push the issue. They would either have to step up and police it or lay off and look at other options. Also rally at the council meetings to justify these new changes. If your going to ban dogs on property you can also bring up the millions of cats people just open their back door and release to prowl around and how will they deal with that as well.
My gramma used to say the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Be squeaky.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Maybe Charlie could visit the Mayor...now there is a "facility" that needs THERAPY!!!!!

[Hillary & Charlie]

thanks everyone! i didn't see all of these comments until now. i am planning on calling around to the people that i do know that do not want this law passed and hopefully they will call others. go to the meeting and protest..haha. i would like to start a petition but not sure if that will be enough to get them to change their mind. my dad is the city superintendant but sadly doesn't get to vote at meetings! but he said i should start gathering the people up and make sure our voices are heard at the next meeting. they haven't voted on it yet so i'm keeping my fingers crossed. ready to go to the farmers market tonight with Charlie in tow setting a good example of responsible pet owner and dog!