Dog Park Rules OK'd Despite Slight Concerns

Diamond Bar’s first dog park may be running behind schedule, but when it opens, they want to have rules of conduct ready to go.

The City Council approved on first reading the guidelines that dog owners will have to follow when bringing their pooches for a day at the park.

But while staff had laid out some guidelines, there was concern from Councilman Ron Everett that more input was needed.

“I would like to see the Sheriff’s Department included for input and review, because likely, in my personal experience on the streets, that’s the first person that gets called is the Sheriff’s Department,” Everett said. “And the park, may come under the community services staff, but I think that we need to consider that and take a little time and look at that.”

City staff had consulted the Southern California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, the city attorney and the Inland Valley Humane Society when crafting their rules. They also got input from the Parks and Recreation Commission and looked at the rules from existing dog parks in Fullerton, San Dimas, Claremont, Huntington Beach, Los Angeles and Arcadia.

Some of the rules that were approved include:

• Owners cannot bring more than 3 dogs at a time
• No female dogs in heat
• No spiked dog collars on the pets
• No children under 14 are allowed without a parent or guardian

Everett also expressed concern about the ordering of the rules, hoping that signs will place near the top the rules that pet owners are using the park at their own risk, and that the city would not be held liable in cases of injuries.

The motion was approved by a 4-0 vote, with Everett abstaining.

The dog park’s construction was delayed last week when the contractor chosen to construct an American with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk was unable to secure bonding. The city had hoped to have the park open by the end of the summer, but now, it will likely not open until mid-December.

The park is to be built in the southeast area of Pantera Park, officials said. Plans include two enclosures, a 19,400-square-foot area for small dogs less than 25 pounds, the other a 39,400-square-foot area for large dogs 25 pounds or larger.

A 6-foot-high chain link fence will surround the enclosures. Users will enter and exit through self-closing double gates.

The park will also have American with Disabilities Act accessible drinking fountain with pet bowl, hose bibs for additional water access, trash receptacles, park benches, ADA accessible walkway leading to trail and doggie walk waste bags.