Does Orleans need a leash law? - Wicked Local
It’s the leash you can do, so sayeth the Orleans Select Board.
On Dec. 8, the board requested Town Administrator John Kelly bring back a revised animal control bylaw that would require all dogs be leashed on public property at all times “unless otherwise designated.”
Currently dogs occasionally run loose on the beaches and conservation trails or in the watershed. Under rule 85-2 of Orleans general bylaws, all dogs are required to be “restrained” at all times off premise of the owner.
The first suggestion was to define restrained as leashed, with an electronic collar or under voice control.
“I recommend Orleans have a leash restriction,” said Police Chief Scott MacDonald. “Overwhelmingly dog owners are responsible but there is a small percentage who is not We had a severe dog bite a couple of years ago.”
There was another dog who was involved in multiple bites downtown. It was noted that on nature trails dogs were often let loose, then leashed if someone approached.
‘There’s a group of dog owners whose dogs are allowed to run free all winter,” Select Board member Andrea Reed said. “If we review the dangerous bites and attacks, are the dogs unleashed? Do we designate an area where dogs run free?”
“We know what this issue is. It’s the hottest button in town,” Board member Kevin Galligan said. “We do need to sell it to Town Meeting. It’s long overdue.”
Galligan noted that Kent’s Point, Orleans unofficial dog park, has groups of dog owners gathering there to socialize their dogs, and with dogs running on and off trail the wildlife in the 28 acre conservation area has vanished.
“The freedom to run dogs is a freedom that destroys our environment,” he said.
The problem of animal waste
Animal waste is another problem.
“Animal waste has nothing to do with a leash,” Reed said.
“I do support the leash idea,” Board member Meff Runyon said. “On the animal waste problem, a lot (of people) have a mutt mitt. That should be a requirement. Enforcement is driving a lot of these decisions. The regulations are unenforceable. The only solution is to create regulations that are enforceable.”
Deciding whether a dog is restrained or under voice control is tricky. Requiring a leash is more straightforward but difficult if the dog is deep in the woods.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” MacDonald said. “If the board wants to designate an area dogs can run free, that’s something you can consider.”
Galligan suggested the board could opt for a blanket ban “unless otherwise designated” so they wouldn’t have to consider every property in town up front.
“If you build it they will come,” MacDonald said pointing out any area so designated could quickly become a regional dog park.
The board asked Kelly to come back with a revised bylaw and then the board would schedule a hearing.
source: https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/cape-codder/2021/12/13/dogs-run-free-orleans-officials-consider-leash-law-restrain-pets-public-property/6455846001/
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