Health department says no to doggy dips in pool

Sammy's a water lover.

At last year's Fox Valley Park District Dog Swim, the 18-month-old golden retriever had the time of her short life.

She splashed around with pooch pals at Phillips Park Aquatic Center in Aurora, chased after toys and paddled in the deep end.

"She was jumping all over the place, in and out of the water," owner Janet Giblin of Montgomery said.

But Sammy -- and other area dogs -- won't get that chance this year.

Park districts throughout the area, including those in Naperville, Aurora, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn and Bloomingdale, have canceled their pooch plunges on the advice of state health officials who say they're unsanitary.

Letters warning of "inherent danger" from allowing pets in pools were sent to some swim facilities in 2004 and 2006, said Melaney Arnold, Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman.

"Dogs and other pets are unpredictable and may injure their owner or another patron," the letter reads. "Additionally, animals may be carrying pathogens that will lead to water-borne illnesses."

In June, a note reiterating concerns was sent to public health administrators. It again warns swim officials their facility license may be revoked if a dip is held.

Cases will be handled individually, Arnold said.

"We're not going to be able to monitor every pool, but if we learn of something of this nature, we'll look into it," she said.

As of Wednesday, Villa Park's dog swim was still on, scheduled for Aug. 25.

"We have not received any notice from the Illinois Department of Health," said Villa Park Recreation Superintendent Carrie Karl. "If there is a mailing that's gone out, we're not sure why we haven't got it."

She plans to contact the health department for advice.

In Glen Ellyn, the Park District Risk Management Agency advised against any dogs-in-the-pool type event at facilities licensed by the state health department, district spokeswoman Kathleen Talenco said.

Now the district is looking at the possibility of another type of pet-oriented event to signal the end of the season.

Dog dips have been popular in several towns. Naperville's has attracted up to 1,000 pets at Centennial Beach, aquatics manager Andrea Coates said. The June letter was the first warning she received.

"We're disappointed because it's such a popular event," she said.

Because their pool is a "beach," Naperville leaders may pursue a doggie dip in the future, she said. "We're hoping we can get this event to come back."

Arnold says no one has gotten sick from a dog dip, but health officials aren't waiting for that to happen.

"Those animals can carry parasites and other diseases," she said. "When people go to a public swimming facility, they shouldn't have to worry about (getting sick)."

Sammy's owner, for one, doesn't. Avid dog lovers treat their pets as family, Giblin said.

"Our dogs lick our plates after eating," she said. "Most people like us aren't overly concerned about sanitation."

North Aurora dog owner Diana McClaurin agrees health officials are overreacting. Outside pools aren't exactly pinnacles of sanitation, she said, what with the possibility of bird and geese droppings, for example.

Dog dips usually are held at the end of swim season, she said. Some public pools aren't emptied and cleaned until spring, so the water "gets gross" all winter, anyway, she said.