Stronger leash rule pursued in Largo

Commissioners will debate an ordinance tonight to put bite into city rules requiring leashes on dogs in parks.

By KYLA K. WILSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 11, 2000

LARGO -- Susan Rech never takes her four dogs anywhere without a leash.

"I think it's safe to keep leashes on. You never know what's going to spook them," Rech, 39, said Monday as she played with her niece in Largo Central Park. "I feel you are protecting the animal, yourself and society."

So Rech supports an ordinance to be debated by the Largo City Commission tonight that would put some teeth into city rules requiring leashes on dogs in city parks.

Largo Central Park has rules requiring dogs to be on leashes and their owners to clean up their pets' excrement. The ordinance would enable police to issue citations to dog owners who do not obey these rules, as well as cite owners of dogs who are a nuisance.

The ordinance defines nuisance as dogs disturbing neighbors by barking between the hour of 11 p.m and 6 a.m.

Now, all police officers can do is verbally warn dog owners who disobey the park's rules.

The city staff created the proposed ordinance because dozens of residents expressed concerned about dogs playing freely in parks with small children nearby.

"We had a number of calls from our citizens who complained of pet owners letting their dogs run free in Largo Central Park," said Cathy Santa, director of recreation and parks. "This way, the police officers can enforce the rules in the park."

Rech, who did not have her dogs with her Monday, said she used to breed Rottweilers. Her experience taught her that the most trained dogs are still unpredictable. As well-trained as some of her Rottweilers were, they all stayed on leashes, she said.

Now, she owns a springer spaniel, an American Eskimo, a beagle and a cocker spaniel.

"They can't communicate, so you never know what they are thinking. They could sense something in a person that you don't and attack them," Rech said.

Robert L. Towner, 77 of Largo, regularly walks his 13-month-old brown cocker spaniel in Largo Central Park. He thinks the ordinance is a good idea, especially for residents who own children.

"Well, if there are little kids around, you don't want them getting run over by a German shepherd chasing a Frisbee," Towner said. "A lot of people don't use common sense and that's the problem."

The ordinance will be up for a preliminary vote tonight and a second reading vote next Tuesday. Santa expects the ordinance to easily pass because it enforces rules that currently exist.

If it passes, signs will be put up near parks stating the ordinance.

Santa thinks it will help. But she expects enforcing the rules in the park still will be difficult.

"By the time you call the police, they may be already gone," Santa said.

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