Residents of Mount Pleasant, S.C., showed up at a council meeting earlier this week with their dogs to voice support for a dog park -- but police wouldn't allow them inside.

Instead, the demonstrators held their pooches up to a window for town council members to see.

The citizens were pushing for a 4.5-acre canine play area at Mount Pleasant's Memorial Waterfront Park, according to a story in the Charleston Post & Courier.

Several of the dog park supporters said they signed up to address the council later during a public comment period while a friend tended to their dogs outside.

The proponents of a dog park fear that the council will instead develop the 4.5 acres at the rear of the park. The state Department of Transportation offered the town 22 acres for free but required that the land be used for the park. The council voted last month to explore purchasing the 4.5 acres, which would open the land to other uses, including a corporate meeting center or a performance venue, both of which have been suggested.

Memorial Waterfront Park, including a 1,200-foot pier, a visitor's center, a war memorial and sweetgrass center, is scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend 2009.