Failing to pick up the poo will still cost you $1,000
Baltimore City Council is reconsidering the fine for dog owners who let their dogs run off leash, but don't throw away those plastic bags just yet.
Legislation the council is considering would lower the fine for unleashed dogs from $1,000 to $250 for a first offense, but the fine for failing to pick up after a dog would still be $1,000.
Erin Fiaschetti, legislative aide to Councilman Jim Kraft, who introduced the proposal on Monday, says the aim was to create a simple bill that would be quickly adopted by the council. While dog owners have protested the fine for unleashed dogs, the penalty for failing to pick up after dogs has drawn a more mixed reaction, with some residents lobbying to keep the $1,000 fine, Fiaschetti says.
The Council's Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday on the proposed leash law changes. Fiaschetti says other council members have indicated they might introduce amendments to the bill and says the fine for not picking up the poo could be changed.
The council raised the fines for letting dogs run off leash and for failing to pick up after them from $100 to $1,000 last year, but it wasn't until earlier this month when Animal Control officials began enforcing the law that many dog owners became aware of the new penalties and besieged City Hall with complaints.
The hearing will be held in the Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall.
Comments
Off leash fines of $250 are still too much, but $1,000 was just ludicrous. I'm all for a $1,000 fine for failure to pick up after your dog, but let's be realistic - the chances of them actually catching someone in the act are slim to none.
MC, have you heard anything about the proposal for off-leash hours in city parks? One of the councilmen told me this was going to be added to the proposed legislation this past Monday. Thanks for keeping us posted!
Leigh, Jim Kraft's aide, Erin Faischetti, mentioned that there will probably be several amendments. One thing being considered is off-leash hours. Look for discussion on that Tuesday. Liz
Posted by: Leigh | April 24, 2009 11:37 AM
I love my dog, but I don't trust other dogs. I know that your dog has graduated from 5 doggie schools and is a princess. There are the other 98% who have not. My dog wants to play/sniff/kiss every other dog. I trust her and know she wouldnt hurt a fly. But no one knows about the other dogs. (I do have a tendency to trust most people, but just like driving a car, I trust my driving, but wear a seat belt because of the other people pn the road.)
This is why I always keep my dog on a leash, unless it is the dog park, and other owners should be repsonsible for their dogs (we have left many times because of owners not controlling their dogs).
I absolutely hate it when people don't clean up. We have seen it happen, and we usually make the person do it. If they say they dont have a bag, poof! we have an extra.
Posted by: Jason | April 24, 2009 2:33 PM
LOL at the thought of my male rottie being a princess. Halloween costume 2009 - found!
Posted by: Leigh | April 24, 2009 4:10 PM
I have just the opposite problem that Jason does. My dog does NOT like large dogs and will lunge aggressively if not redirected with a treat before they get to us. At times, dogs running off-leash come up behind us without me noticing. Their owners (if they even notice) will start saying, "It's okay, she's friendly," without even thinking that my dog might be the one that's not.
In short, I'm in favor of the on-leash law (and the poop law) at whatever cost to the dog owner.
I do think the city should work with residents to make it easier to get more fenced dog parks ... Patterson, Latrobe (where residents have been working to get one for a while) and Riverside come to mind.
Posted by: Michelle | April 25, 2009 6:49 AM
Please pass the word that there's an online petition supporting significantly reduced fines to dog owners. This petition will be submitted to the sponsors of the Baltimore City Council Ordinance 09-0322 by the time of their session on April 28.
People (and their dogs) who support the reduction of fines should sign the petition now and pass the word. (This petition also mentions a need for the City Council to consider other options for people --AND their dogs-- to enjoy public green space in the future.)
Go to http://www.petitiononline.com/LeashLaw/petition.html
Please be sure to sign soon and pass the word today. TWITTER!!!
Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa | April 25, 2009 8:42 AM