By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
It seems like a parody of the old Charlie Brown cartoon movies.
Snoopy, making his way through life, but being booted out of everything from libraries to hospitals, with the song “No Dogs Allowed” playing in the background.
While the ordinance has been on the books for ages, the placement of signs in the City of Burlington parks last week saying that pets are not allowed in city parks was a surprise for many, including Heather Longoria.
“Isn’t that crazy?” said Longoria, who added that she walks with the family dog every day and takes the paths through the parks.
“Obviously, I’m not going to risk a $500 fine,” she said.
The new signs, which according to Director of Public Works Jim Bergles went up Nov. 7 and 8, led to City Hall receiving a fair share of phone calls.
“We’ve gotten a few,” said City Clerk Diahnn Halbach. “They’re obviously being seen. That’s been a law – no pets in the park – for like, forever.”
The signs clearly state that no animals are allowed in the parks, and lists the city ordinance. A $500 fine could be enforced, though Bergles said he is not aware of any being issued and the city is working on warnings at this point.
The city Park Board is scheduled to meet today at 6:30 p.m. at the Department of Public Works to discuss further options. Bergles said he understands that dogs and other animals do need to be walked.
Bergles said the city’s Park Board had been asked to take action after owners were letting animals defecate in the parks and not cleaning up after them, but that the new signs were replacing older, faded ones that predated Bergles’ time in Burlington.
“We have received multiple complaints about dog poop in the parks,” Bergles said. “And that’s what spurred this.
“You can’t bring your dog into the park to vacate itself,” he said.
The city’s dog park, at 480 Calumet St., remains an option for those looking to exercise their animals. There is both a large exercise area and a smaller fenced-in area for smaller dogs.
However, Denise Stankus said there aren’t always options to separate some dogs from others at the dog park. The trails in the parks give her an option to walk
“You can’t take your dogs anywhere, except for the dog park,” she said. “I think the government just oversteps.
“I just think there’s a thousand times more geese poop in the park,” Stankus added.
Longoria expressed frustration that a handful of people have made the situation untenable for others.
“Unfortunately, I get it. At the same time, I don’t,” she said.
She, like Stankus, suggested having poop bags available in the parks for those who haven’t been picking up the animal excrement.
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