Code of Ordinances Amendment - Title 10 - Pets in Most City Parks - Additional Citizen CorrespondencePage 1 of 3
Kevin Firnstahl - Fwd: Lifting the ban on pets in parks
From: Roy Buol <rdbuol@cityofdubuque.org>
To: Kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org
Date: 2/2/2015 11:30 AM
Subject: Fwd: Lifting the ban on pets in parks
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: "<kimober@aol.com>" <kimober@aol.com>
To: "Roy Buol" <Rdbuol@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: Lifting the ban on pets in parks
Mayor Buol,
I am writing to voice my support for lifting the ban on leashed pets in
city parks. One of Dubuque's top priorities in its policy agenda for 2014-
16 is being an inclusive community. Allowing pet owners to enjoy the
city parks (for which we pay taxes) with our pets would be one way to
show inclusiveness.
No one knows for sure why dogs were banned from city parks in 1969.
It's likely there were no leash laws in 1969 and the ban was a reaction
to dogs running at large. Forty-five years later we now have leash laws;
it's time to lift the ban.
A few areas were designated pet -friendly in 2013. Most of them are
along the river which could limit access to those that live in other parts
of the city. City buses aren't an option for dog owners, and while Swiss
Valley and the Mines of Spain are wonderful options for dog walking,
they are both sizable drives for most residents of Dubuque. For those
without a car, they are out of reach.
I visit A.Y. McDonald Park frequently with my dog. In all the times I have
been there, I have never seen dog waste or a dog off leash. I have,
however, frequently seen trash -- bottles, wrappers, cigarettes -- left by
humans.
One of the arguments presented by opponents to lifting the ban is that
doing so will hurt Dubuque's chances of being named an All -America
city. I checked the list of the ten cities that won the award in 2014: San
Pablo (CA), Brush (CO), Fort Lauderdale (FL), Chelsea (MA), Cedar
Rapids (IA), Brownsville (TX), Eau Claire (WI), Hampton (VA),
Montgomery (AL), and Independence (OR). If the information wasn't
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posted on the city's web site, I emailed the parks department. Of the
nine cities for which I was able to get information, only Fort Lauderdale
restricts pets from some city parks and Hampton has separate parks for
dogs. All ten cities also have one or more off -leash dog parks. The
conclusion that can be drawn is that allowing leashed pets in city parks
will not harm a city's chances of becoming an All -America City.
Some opponents also state that Dubuque shouldn't lift the ban unless
there is a guarantee of 100% compliance that owners will pick up after
their pets. That is a specious argument. Using that argument, we would
have to ban driving because not all drivers obey the traffic laws.
Instead, we punish the offenders and let the law-abiding drivers
continue to drive unmolested. The majority of pet owners are
responsible for their pets; we should be given the freedom to enjoy the
city's parks with our pets and not be punished because of the minority.
It's clear from the polls, petitions and comments at the public input
sessions that the majority of Dubuquers are in favor of lifting the ban.
Leashed pets are allowed in state parks. Some businesses in Dubuque
are pet -friendly (River Lights Bookstore, the Yard Arm); I am not aware
of any pet -related problems at these businesses.
Consider that Dubuque is the only city of its size in Iowa that bans pets
from city parks. Why is that? Cedar Rapids, Ames, Davenport and
Cedar Falls are just a few of the Iowa cities that allow leashed pets in
city parks. I have family living in Davenport who uses its city parks; they
haven't had any negative encounters as a result of pets being in the
parks. I don't believe that cities like Davenport are more tolerant than
Dubuque.
Dubuque's 2029 Vision statement states "The Dubuque community is an
inclusive community" Please extend that inclusiveness to pet owners and
open the city parks to leashed pets.
Respectfully,
Kim Oberbroeckling
2152 Golden Eagle Drive
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Kevin Firnstahl - "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From: "Citizen Support Center" <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
To: <kfimsta@cityofdubuque.org>
Date: 2/1/2015 5:11 PM
Subject: "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: Art Bush
Phone:
Email: bush46@centurylink.net
City Department: City Council
Message: I continue to be opposed to allowing dogs in more of the Dubuque parks, and I am especially opposed to allowing
dogs in Eagle Point Park. Although many dog owners are responsible many other are not. They continue to allow their dogs
to run unleashed, do not clean up after them, or do not restrain them when leashed (as I found when being bit by a leashed
dog when walking on a city street). I have not noticed an improvement on this in the areas I walk, bicycle, or drive and am
not seeing an attempt to enforce the current rules. Please leave the parks, and especially Eagle Point Park, for human beings
to enjoy. Please also remember, as an article in the TH stated in August 2009, for some dogs there is "a fine line between pet
and predator." Thank you.
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Kevin Firnstahl - "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From: "Citizen Support Center" <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
To: <kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org>
Date: 1/30/2015 8:33 PM
Subject: "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: Ron Al brecht
Phone: 5635437727
Email: shiras144@aol.com
City Department: City Council
Message: Item 1 on the 2/2/15 agenda Dogs in the park I recommend that the parks & rec commisson be appointed 1 St call
on the scooper patrol, it will be a mess ! ! ! ! We have dog parks,so let us have people parks
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Kevin Firnstahl - "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From: "Citizen Support Center" <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
To: <kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org>
Date: 2/2/2015 8:41 AM
Subject: "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: Ron Farni
Phone:
Email: ron_farn@q.com
City Department: City Council
Message: I see that the council is once again taking up the issue of pets in the city parks. I urge your voting against this
measure. I feel that parks are for people not pets. I enjoy the parks as they are. We have "parks" where people can take their
pets and do not have to disturb others. Please vote this measure down. Thank you.
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Kevin Firnstahl - "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From: "Citizen Support Center" <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
To: <kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org>
Date: 2/2/2015 12:58 PM
Subject: "Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: james kress
Phone: (563) 582-5308
Email: mjkrs@mchsi.com
City Department: City Council
Message: Dear Mayor Buol and City Council Members, We respectfully request that you continue your support of the current
ordinance of not allowing pets in the city parks. We feel if dogs are allowed in the parks this will lower the quality of our fine
parks. For all of the picnics, parties, reunions, weddings, and even the Thursday night music at Eagle Point that are enjoyed
in our parks by many people, it is the safest choice to continue to not allow pets. Our parks have been known state-wide for
their cleanliness and citizen friendly atmosphere. If dogs are allowed, many will inevitably be Left off leashes, and many
owners will not clean up after them, all leading to less than desirable conditions of our beautiful parks. Please consider this as
you make your decision tonight. Thank you for all of the work you do for our grand city. Jim and Mary Kress 3090 Keokuk
St Dubuque Ia 52001
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