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PrintSonoma may be going to the dogs
On Monday night, the Sonoma City Council will go to the dogs. Perhaps literally.
That’s because the meat of the Oct. 15 agenda has to do with the city’s canine policies and whether Sonoma can afford to install a second dog park on empty property along Fifth Street West.
Following lengthy and detailed discussions involving dog owners, city representatives and Sonoma police, a draft revision has been developed of existing city ordinance provisions governing dog policies, governance of “vicious and potentially dangerous” dogs and licensing of domestic farm animals including chickens rabbits and bees.
Part of the proposal is to reform the existing ordinance to allow leashed dogs on all of Sonoma’s 14 parks except the Plaza.
Current law prohibits dogs on all city parks, with no exceptions, and lately Sonoma Police have been stepping up enforcement of the law now on the books.
Chicken, rabbits and bees on residential lots would, under the revised language, no longer require a permit.
At present, there is only one, small dog park in Sonoma, near the police station, where dogs can romp off-leash. The proposal on the Monday agenda calls on the city to explore converting a topographically rough parcel of land, with drainage issues that would complement its use for residential development, to use as a dog park.
The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at 177 First St. W. The public is invited.
Please note: Your full name will be published with your comment.
I recently moved to the Sonoma Valley from a county that has an extensive open space system which allows dogs off leash on fire roads. Therefore, I am very interested in this discussion of creating off leash areas for dogs so they can get the exercise they so badly need by being able to run freely. They can not do this on leash.
In addition, many dogs suffer from what is known as leash (fear) aggression. Most trainers advise owners who have their dogs on leashes who exhibit this type of aggression to drop the leash so that these dogs don't feel trapped.
I understand that many dogs have not been trained and that some dog owners may not take precautions to ensure the safety of humans, other canines and other animals wild or otherwise; therefore these leash laws and ordinances are necessary.
However, as a responsible dog owner and one that knows the benefits of having a dog that has been properly exercised, I would like to support the proposal to create off leash trails and parks in Sonoma County.