DECEMBER 18, 2001

TO: CITY COUNCIL

FROM: DAVID J. DEUTSCH, CITY MANAGER

RE: ORDINANCE 0-2-02, AMENDING CHAPTER 4, "ANIMAL CONTROL" AND CHAPTER 17, "PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS" TO ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE BOWIE DOG PARK AND TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 4 WITH RESPECT TO PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMALS

Section 4-6 of the Bowie City Code prohibits dogs from running at large in the City. "At large" is defined in Section 4-1 as being off the real property of the owner and not under restraint. The Bowie Dog Park on Northview Drive opened on December 15, 2001, and its purpose is to provide a controlled environment in which dogs may run without a leash. Therefore, provisions of the City Code must be amended to reflect this facility and to allow dogs to run unleashed on designated public property.

In addition to amending sections of Chapter 4 to provide for exceptions at the dog park, Chapter 17 "Park Rules and Regulations" prohibits dogs from running at large in City parks. Section 17-2 also needs to be amended to reflect that dogs will be allowed to run off leashes in certain designated City dog parks.

Separately from the issues pertaining to the Bowie Dog Park, the Administrative Review Board recently raised concerns regarding the enforcement provisions in Sections 4-13 and 4-14 for public nuisance animals. The wording in each section is duplicative. Therefore, staff recommends combining both provisions into one for the purpose of efficient administration of the Code.

Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the Council approve Ordinance O-11-01, which amends Chapters 4 and 17 of the Bowie City Code to allow dogs to be off leashes at City designated dog parks and that certain sections of Chapter 4 are combined for more efficient administration of the Code.