Dubuque commission votes to allow dogs in city parks

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) - Officials have voted to revoke a dog ban in most Dubuque parks, though the likelihood of pets being allowed on the properties remains unclear.

The city's Parks and Recreation Commission narrowly approved a plan Tuesday that would allow leashed and licensed dogs and cats in parks in the area, the Telegraph Herald reported (http://bit.ly/14A7nUY ). Following a 4-3 vote, the commission's recommendation goes to the City Council.

Council members rejected a similar proposal in April, citing safety, sanitation and public concerns as their main apprehensions. Following that decision, however, councilors opted to allow dogs and cats on several trails in the area and a couple city parks. The issue remerged in December, when the commission deadlocked 3-3 and delayed further action until this week when all commission members were in attendance.

Opponents of the current proposal worry that, if approved, some people will stop going to city parks.

Council member Paul Hoffman also said he's unsure how pet owners will be held accountable when it comes to a provision that requires owners to keep animals leashed and clean up after them.

"I want to know how we're going to enforce this when there's maybe just one park patrol that's way on the other side of town," Hoffman said.

Instead of rushing to approve the proposal, Hoffman suggested taking a year to see how allowing pets in parks would affect Dubuque by opening a select few parks to animals.

But commission member Bob Blocker said he thinks most people want the restriction lifted.

"(We've seen) survey after survey after survey that the majority of the citizens in the Dubuque area, they want to change this," he said.

Council members will consider the proposal Feb. 2.

___

Information from: Telegraph Herald, http://www.thonline.com