Dog Owners Have Their Day with Town Officials

An April memo calling for a dog ban in public areas created so much reaction in town that it spurred its own Facebook page. On Tuesday night, the general public finally had its face to face with town officials.

"We're going to give you an overview of the challenges involved, but we're very interested in you comments," Chairman John Bulian told over 40 members of the general public who gathered on Dedham Ave.

Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick outlined a revised proposal, which no longer looking at a ban of dogs in all public spaces, but rather a ban at Memorial and DeFazio Parks.

Fitzpatrick offered four recommendations:

• Restrict dogs/pets from Memorial Field and DeFazio Park (including tot lot)
• Restrict dogs/pets from school playgrounds during school hours
• Regulate commercial dog walkers
• Enact a "Pooper Scooper" law

Fitzpatrick related that several groups of officials, including Selectmen, Park and Recreation, and the School Committee, created these options to consider public health, safety and convenience.

Commercial dog walkers would now be required to have a permit and would be limited to five dogs, though assistance dogs would be exempt from the rules. Stricter fines were also recommended for those who disobey the outlined rules and it was noted that police would be on the lookout for such violations.

Superintendent of Schools Daniel Gutekanst was in attendance and related his approval of the proposed laws, as did Athletic Director Micah Hauben.

"The town has put so much money behind the fields to be the showcase of athletics, for the youth to be in a safe, clean, healthy environment," Hauben said.

For Dave DiCicco, chairman of the Trustees of Memorial Park, aesthetics play a role, saying that the only way to keep dogs out without a law is to erect a fence.

"One thing that people love is that the field is wide open," he said.

Police Chief Tom Leary told the room that having clear-cut literature on the matter would make the work of his department easier and allow for better enforcement of rules. Rules that went into effect after certain hours or times of the year only served to confuse others, he said.

"I think regulation is necessary, but it doesn't work to have part-time enforcement. If something is done, let's do it clearly," he said, adding that he was also concerned about the 18 dog bites that took place Needham last year.

Cindy Landow of Great Plain Ave. stated that the Town proposals were "reasonable, but I believe dogs need to be off leash and running with other dogs." She suggested having designated places where dogs can roam free, a theme that was consistent through the evening.

"I don't know if Needham has a facility to offer a (designated) dog park, but every one that I've been to…I've only seen responsible owners," said Laura Inker of Warren St., echoing others' thoughts, including one suggestion to create a park at the Nike site. "I think it's in the best interest to have at least two or three off-leash places in town."

Bill Paulson, who created the Needham Dog Lovers Facebook page, related that he appreciated officials scaling back regulations from the original plans, which he called a "shocking" memo, but wondered if these regulations would actually cause troublemakers to alter their habits.

"There are 3,000 dogs in town and most owners are responsible. The rest are making us be in this room today," he said. "I wonder if the laws will change their behavior. What it will do is change the behavior of responsible owners who don't need to change anyway."

Paulson also questioned a dogs-only park, believing that many people take their dogs to games that their kids are playing in or to other spots they had already planned on being.

"You'll get to the other places, but you may not get to the dog park," he said, adding that the dog would be neglected if that were to transpire.

Several dog owners at the meeting liked the inclusion of a "Pooper Scooper" law, in which owners are required to pick up after their pets' waste. They also asked for additional trashcans at parks to encourage clean up, as well as the addition of bag dispensers.

Safety was also a concern of those at the meeting. Most in attendance agreed that people who are afraid of animals should be taken into account and that a leash law was a fair solution.

"I'm the mother of a child who is extremely afraid of dogs, said Brenda Curmin. "These children don't see the cute, cuddly animal that we do; it scares them."

Bulian agreed, saying that the leash law is "important."

"I, and others, are sometimes afraid of dogs off leash and we shouldn't make people afraid to walk through parks," he said.

Tom Dann of Aldridge Rd. wondered if the leash law is not in response to actual cases of dog violence, but rather to fear.

"At some level there are some bites. If it's a safety issue, let's go after that. But if it's fear, I don't know what we can do about that," he said. "Does fear qualify as a safety issue?"

Dann's comments were about as contested as the meeting became, though, with attendees acting civilly throughout the night and most accepting the proposed rules before them.

"I'm cheered that the situation here is less contentious than what I've read about (happening) in other towns," said Selectman Moe Handel. "I'm optimistic that this is a situation Needham handles the right way."

Selectman Dan Matthews related confidence in the proposed laws.

"The standards haven't been clear on what we expect as a community," he said. "This is a tough situation to deal with, but in general I think we're on track."

Selectman Denise Garlick suggested that a public health campaign related to dogs at parks be created and stressed that getting the word out about the proposals was key.

"We've worked through various ideas and come to reasonable regulations," she stated. "Now we need education and understanding."