The new parks policy is one thing, but the ordinance change opens it up so any department or division, not the city council, will allow dogs on Madison property.
Dogs are becoming like guns, they are allowed on city property (not buildings) unless there are signs saying they are not. Even in buildings there can be a permit to have them be allowed.
The ordinance change is here, and impacts all city properties, not just parks. The parks policy is here. They are two different things.
NEW ORDINANCE
The new ordinance will read as follows:
(1) Dogs prohibited in Certain Areas
(a) Definitions. for the purposes of this Subsection, the following definitions apply:
– City Building means any building or portion of a building that is occupied by the City.
– Designated City Property means and City owned or leased property, or portions thereof, designated as “dog free” by the Department or Division in charge of said City property, and posted as such. Any such designation may be with or without conditions.
(b) Prohibition. Except as provided for under Subdivision (c), no owner, keeper or handler of a dog shall allow, cause or permit such dog to enter or remain in:
1. Any city building
2. Any designated City Property; or
3. Any school grounds in the City of Madison as have been designated by order of the Board of Education as areas in which dogs are prohibited and that are posted as such.
(c) Exceptions. The prohibition in Subdivision (b) shall not apply to the following
-
- Service Dogs. Service Dogs are dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities as set forth in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and United States Department of Justice regulations.
- Law Enforcement Dogs. Dogs used by or under the auspices of the City of Madison Police Department or other law enforcement department in the course of official police business.
- Rental Space. Dogs are permitted when there is an agreement for rental or use of any City building or designated City property and such permission is specified in the rental or use agreement.
- Permit. Dogs are permitted in any City building or designated City property when authorized under a permit.
- Programming. Dogs are permitted in any City building or designated City property when the dogs are part of programming that is intended for the general public and has been approved by the Department or Division Head.
DEPARTMENT AND DIVISIONS DECIDE WHERE DOGS CAN GO?
The ordinance says:
Designated City Property means any City owned or leased property, or portions thereof, designated as “dog-free” by the Department or Division in charge of said City property, and posted as such. Any such designation may be with or without conditions.
and
Permit. Dogs are permitted in any City space building or designated City property when authorized under a permit.
I don’t see a definition of permit in this case this ordinance.
This ordinance seems to have some loopholes – or perhaps they were intended?
Since Mayor Soglin would have been the head of his Department, could he have created a permit for dogs in his office? Then he could give himself a permit and bring his dog to work?
OTHER LOOPHOLES
Could the streets department decide not to allow dogs on State Street? Could they just put up signs and its a done deal? No public discussion?
Could City Engineering decide not to allow dogs on the bike paths?
Could the city parking ramps be declared dog free so you can’t bring your dog and park in the ramp? Even if you are going to walk your dog along the lake?
Until departments and divisions declare their spaces “dog free” and put up signs, can you bring your dog to the Monona Terrace? City owned neighborhood centers? Library properties?
Are dogs going to be allowed on ice skating rinks?
Will dogs be allowed at Garver Feed Mill?
Could the planning department decide to allow dogs in the Muncipal Building if they create a permitting system?
Could police departments decide to create a permit to allow dogs in the police stations?
I’m sure there are other things that you could imagine.
WHO IS GOING TO ENFORCE LEASH LAWS AND PICKING UP AFTER DOGS
In the parks the park rangers can enforce the rules and they have a banning system.
What happens in other areas of the city, who would enforce those laws? Is this just another thing that is being put on the police department that they won’t have time to do?
Do people purchase dog permits the way they purchase permits for Madison’s Bike Registration Program?
