Ridgefield Officials To Propose New Downtown Leash Law

RIDGEFIELD, CT — There have been more dogs showing up on Main Street, and town officials want to ensure they are properly leashed.

At their Jan. 19 meeting, the Board of Selectmen approved language for an ordinance that would forbid unleashed dogs downtown.

Leash laws are already on the books from the Parks & Recreation Commission and Conservation Commission. The new ordinance would not supersede those laws, First Selectman Rudy Marconi said.

"We have more and more people walking dogs (on Main Street) every day, and more and more people who feel that their dog is under control and I will tell you, they are, from what I have seen," Marconi said. "But the concern I have heard from other people is, 'I have my dog on a leash, everyone should have their dog on a leash.'"

Marconi said the town has not had an "incident" involving an unleashed dog, but needed to be proactive to ensure such were avoided.

The provisions of the ordinance will also not apply to "guide dogs accompanying a disabled person," or K-9 officers, the Board decided.

Selectman Sean Connelly said that "guide dog" might be a "tough definition," given the easy availability of mail order bogus service dog certification.

"We've all seen people walking dogs without leashes ... can any one of those people come back and say ‘This is my therapy dog, this is my guide dog?’” Connelly asked.

Selectman Bob Hebert said that, regardless of the animal's real or pretend accreditation, "It still has to be on a leash."

Enforcement would come from the police department, Marconi said, "and they would use their judgement."

The text of the proposed ordinance is undergoing review by the town's legal counsel. It can then be brought before the public at a hearing or town meeting.