Simsbury Cracking Down On Dog Poop At Town Parks
SIMSBURY, CT — Town officials are cracking down on folks letting their dogs roam freely on Simsbury's athletic fields and parks.As a result, the Simsbury Board of Selectmen is mulling a new ordinance that would not only prohibit dogs on town athletics fields and play areas, but violators may soon face $100 fines for doing so.It would also mandate that dogs stay on leashes and that those "having control over the dogs" clean up after their canines and have the necessary tools on hand to do so.Selectmen July 14, unanimously scheduled a public hearing on an "Ordinance Regarding Dogs and Recreational Facilities, Athletic Fields, and Trails."The hearing will take place Monday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. After testimony from the public and board, selectmen can close the hearing and, possibly, vote on the new ordinance as early as that night.The ordinance is being pitched by Simsbury Town Manager Marc Nelson and Simsbury Director of Culture, Parks & Recreation Tom Tyburski.According to the ordinance's written narrative submitted to selectmen, this new law would be "an important step in protecting the safety, cleanliness, and overall quality of our parks, trails, athletic fields, and recreation facilities."The proposed ordinance lists 18 different athletic facilities and playscapes in town where dogs are banned.It should be noted, however, that common areas at those sites — viewing areas/bleachers — can have dogs present as long as they're "properly restrained."The ordinance also mandates the "cleanup and disposal" of dog waste, and those with dogs must have them leashed and have bags to pick up and dispose of waste.In short, the town is cracking down on folks simply letting their dogs do their business and walking away.This, officials said, is not only an aesthetic issue, but a health problem as well."The presence of dogs in active play and athletic areas raises concerns related to sanitation, potential injury, and damage to fields and equipment. Dog waste, even when unintentional, can pose health risks and impact the usability of athletic spaces for youth sports, school programs, and community recreation," wrote Nelson and Tyburski."This ordinance helps maintain a clean and safe environment by prohibiting dogs— whether leashed or unleashed—from active use areas, while still allowing leashed dogs in common areas and on trails. "It also promotes responsible pet ownership by requiring proper waste disposal and leash use. By clearly defining where dogs are, and are not permitted, this ordinance ensures that all residents—dog owners and non-owners alike—can enjoy our public spaces safely and respectfully."For more information on the proposed ordinance, click on this link and scroll to Page 98.For the minutes of the July 14 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.The article Simsbury Cracking Down On Dog Poop At Town Parks appeared first on Simsbury, CT Patch.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings