Mayor: Let's Ban All Dogs from Public Events

[RocketDog]

My husband has been a paramedic for over 20 years. He has been with his present dept for 15+. To allow young children and babies to die in traffic accidents because their parents were too lazy or stupid to restrain them safely is ridiculous.

You will still have parents that break the law, but it has been proven that the power to fine people monetarily for not using car seats/seatbelts increases compliance.

[Dainerra]

Excpet there is no stop to it, is there? It started with seatbelts for childrenm. Then the driver had to be belted. Now the front seat passangers.
Now, there are places where Happy Meals are illegal. Again, on the grounds that their parents aren't protecting them.
THAT is why I am against any government involvement in peoples personal lives. There is no limit to what future politicians will try to save us from. It is the same thinking that brings about breed bans and other stupid laws. There is no need to save the public from themselves. It can't be done. As you said, people will still disobey the law if they wish. Any loss of innocent lives is a tragedy, but at some point people have to take responsibility for themselves and their children. It is not the government's job and I don't want them to think it should be!

ETA. My SIL thinks letting my kids watch movies that are rated PG13 should be illegal. I believe that as their mother I know best what is appropriate for them

[RocketDog]

Happy meals and movies don't kill in an instant; or cause enough trauma to debilitate someone for life.

Civilized societies must speak for those members that cannot speak for themselves.

[Dainerra]

But isn't that what the people in Waterton think they are doing? They are moving to protect the children form what could be an instant death or a lifetime of disfigurement. We can't trust that all dog owners are responsible enough to control ttheir dogs, just as we can't awsume that all parents are responsible enough to use seatbelts or helmets for their children.
So I guess they are right! It is our responsibility to protect innocent victims and ban all dogs from public events.

[selzer]

Originally Posted by DharmasMom

Incidents like the dog bite should be between the owner and the person bitten. The town should not be getting involved. Period.

This.

Our town hosts the county jail. It is on the courthouse property. The sherriff's department is run out of there as well. This is literally in the middle of town. For years they had a boxer, living there. They let the dog run loose through the unfenced parking lot. Twice the dog barked and carried on at me while I was walking my dogs. What's up with that? It was county property, and the county could have been sued. The county should have been involved in dealing with that as it was their dog.

The state has a leash law (which they do not enforce unless someone is bitten). And I can see a village, town, city, county enforcing the leash law, especially if there are complaints. Dogs running at large can be a problem, a danger.

And, I can understand their being restrictions on non-service animals in city-structures. For one thing, when one encounters a dog in a courthouse or title agency, etc, they should feel confident that the dog is a service animal, well trained and groomed.

And people with service dogs should not have to contend with dogs that are not well trained, healthy, etc, while they are trying to do their job or perform their business.

But outside, street fairs, parades, festivals, the sidewalks, and other property run with city tax money, by the city, should be open to dogs who are under control of its owners.

I do not agree with seatbelt laws or helmet laws, but I do agree with child-restraint laws.

[damaya]

The helmet laws I mentioned pertained to minors on bicycles. For adults on motorcycles I believe "let those who ride decide". However, if you take your minor age son or daughter to the ER with a head injury expect a follow up with DHS or similar organization. I have seen it happen. Is it right? My girls always wear their helmets when we ride. Not because I am aware it is required, or I might be fined but because it is the right thing to do. I certainly don't think it is "the man" trying to supress my rights with frivilous mandates. Same thing with Icon and the way I am bringing him up. Not because of any legislation, but because I want a healthy well behaved dog that I can take out in public with me without worry or fear of how he will behave or react to certain situations.

With dogs at a city sponsered event the city can take precations without banning dogs. Banning would be what I referred to as a "knee jerk" reaction. We all know there are good dog owners and bad dog owners just like there are good parents and bad parents, and like it or not a few bad apples can lead to the knee jerk reaction and spoil the whole bunch.

I really don't think I am talking to anyone here as being a bad apple. I just don't see bad dog owners hanging out and participating on this web site. Their dogs are on a chain in the back yard right now and not licking their arm between keystrokes.

[selzer]

I do not know how I feel about minors on bicycles being compelled by law to don a helmet. I never owned a helmet until I was an adult (been a cyclist for 40 years). None of the kids had helmets. Most of us survived. It is true that they can have a head injury. But there are so many injuries kids can have. You cannot dress them up like football players every day.

[AbbyK9]

For what it's worth, Watertown has passed the dog ban as written at its first council meeting of 2012.

The dog ban will apply to special events - such as the Christmas Parade, Farmer's Market, and the 4th of July Festival in Thompson Park, as well as within 20ft of any public playground and pools. The ban will NOT apply to any sporting events, such as T-ball or soccer games.

Dogs that are exempt from NYS licensing fees as "Dogs of Service" - Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, SAR dogs, police K-9's and military working dogs - will be exempt from the ban. (Meaning, my TDI dog can still go to the special events because she is a Therapy Dog.)

Watertown Daily Times | Watertown city council agrees to proceed with dog ban

City Council members informally agreed Tuesday night to proceed with a law that would ban dogs from public events held on city-owned property.
After discussing the subject for about 15 minutes, the council agreed to move forward with the ordinance as it was written by City Attorney Robert. J. Slye. A final version of the proposed legislation will be introduced to the council, possibly as soon as later this month.

[Mrs.K]

Originally Posted by AbbyK9

For what it's worth, Watertown has passed the dog ban as written at its first council meeting of 2012.

The dog ban will apply to special events - such as the Christmas Parade, Farmer's Market, and the 4th of July Festival in Thompson Park, as well as within 20ft of any public playground and pools. The ban will NOT apply to any sporting events, such as T-ball or soccer games.

Dogs that are exempt from NYS licensing fees as "Dogs of Service" - Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, SAR dogs, police K-9's and military working dogs - will be exempt from the ban. (Meaning, my TDI dog can still go to the special events because she is a Therapy Dog.)

Watertown Daily Times | Watertown city council agrees to proceed with dog ban

Guess I got to get a letter from Roger then... or maybe better yet... her ID...heck even I don't have my ID yet because our county is so darn slow with stuff like that!