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Dogs get a longer leash in Mobbly preserve

By tamara el-khoury
Published February 3, 2007

OLDSMAR - City Council member Suzanne Vale can drive to Safety Harbor and walk her dogs all through Philippe Park.

She can walk her Doberman pinscher, Rosco, and beagle, Chloe, in Oldsmar parks as well. But there are restrictions. Most parks allow leashed pets, but only in certain areas.

The conversation on whether Oldsmar is a pet-friendly city came up at a recent City Council meeting. And at one point, Vale called Oldsmar "the most restrictive city in Pinellas County."

The city's Parks & Recreation Advisory Board had recommended allowing leashed dogs on the east side of Shore Drive, going through the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve south support area. Currently, pets are allowed only on the public road.

But when the issue came before the council last month, city staffers recommended that the council not allow dogs in the area, saying enforcement of the rules is already a problem. The Sheriff's Office has already issued several warnings and citations to park visitors who let their pets off the leash and off the roadway.

But the council also heard from residents like Larry Rust, owner of three golden retrievers - Cooper, Emma and Lilly. He spoke in support of allowing dogs on the trail, saying that in his hometown, New York, dogs are allowed in Central Park.

In the end, the council went against the staff's recommendation and voted 5-0 to designate the east side of the road for dogs.

The city has received bids for $400,000 to make improvements to the road, said Lynn Rives, director of Leisure Services. Improvements include moving the current road east and adding parking.

At the meeting, Vale said she was shocked at the city staff's recommendation against allowing dogs in the area. That's when she said Oldsmar was the most restrictive city in the county.

There are, however, places in the city for dogs to run. The city has two fenced-in dog areas at the Mobbly Bayou Preserve and at Sheffield Park.

Mayor Jerry Beverland, who lives with his daughter's jumpy Jack Russell terrier, Paige, said he loves dogs but doesn't think they belong in the parks with beaches.

"People don't pick up poop," he said at the meeting. "They probably sit there and pat their doggie on the back and say, 'I love you' and leave their business there."

Bill Antozzi, owner of a Samoyed-Akita mix named Tara, and a member of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, praised the council's decision.

"It should make the residents that walk their dogs happy," he said. "And, at the same time, allow families to bring their families on the beach without being subject to loose dogs."

Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at tel-khoury@sptimes.com or 727 445-4181.

[Last modified February 2, 2007, 21:02:08]