The Animal Control Board and Parks Board conducted several meetings to review the existing City Code prohibiting dogs in parks.  Both boards were unanimous in the decision to recommend to the Mayor and City Council that dogs and cats be allowed in developed City parks while on-leash.   Staff introduced the topic to the City Council at its April 18, 2016 work session and Council directed staff to produce an ordinance amending the City Code and schedule it for public hearing and first reading.  The proposed code changes include the following:

• Definition of public lands
• Dogs and cats allowed within City  parks and public lands, with limitations and exceptions
• Restrained by a ≤ 6 ft. leash and under physical control of handler
• Service animals exempt from leash requirement
• Not allowed within certain developed park areas for safety and health reasons
• Remove animal feces and owner must possess necessary equipment

On July 25, 2016, the City Council approved the first reading of the ordinance amending the City Code to allow on-leash dogs and cats in parks.  The ordinance attached to this staff report is different than the one that Council approved on first reading in the following ways:

• Section 3, amending BMCC 4-407a - requires animals to be on a leash with the maximum length of 6 feet (8' in earlier version)
• Section 5. Effective date - delayed effective date of January 1, 2017 to give time for a public information campaign, to boost small animal registrations and manufacture and install adequate park signage.

• The City Council may approve or disapprove the proposed ordinance.  Approving it would allow leashed dogs and cats in City parks.  Disapproving it would bring no change to the existing ordinance which prohibits dogs and cats in City parks.