Politics & Government
Animals at City Events Debate to Continue
The council is debating how to regulate dogs and other pets at city events.
Should dogs be allowed at city special events? How about exotic pets, such as non-poisonous snakes?
That was the public safety committee Tuesday night.
While Mayor Sal Panto says he feels they should all be banned by ordinance, some city council members and Easton Main Street Assistant Manager Megan McBride say an outright ban, especially when it comes to people's canine companions, is going too far.
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"More progressive cities allow dogs at more events, not less," McBride said.
The council is considering the matter to give the police department an ordinance that can be enforced. Currently, there is none.
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Panto said while it seems everyone agrees dogs should continue to be allowed at the weekly held Saturdays on the Centre Square, he doesn't see any compelling reason to allow pets at most city events.
"I think we can all agree dogs are not a problem at the farmers' market,” Panto said, adding he feels that creating a waiver system might leave the city open to liability.
Other council members suggested the new ordinance might just ban all exotic pets and call for canines that become disruptive or violent to be immediately removed from the event.
"I think the important thing is having something that isn't confusing to the public,” said Councilman Roger Ruggles. “We should give the police the tools to do what they need to do with this law.”
Councilman Jeff Warren, who chairs the public safety committee, said the matter will be revisited at the next council workshop meeting, due to questions the mayor has of city solicitors on the matter and other questions posed by city council members,
That meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 11.
It should be noted that due to Rosh Hashannah, the city council will hold their next regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
The meeting will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 610 Berwick St., in the Southside district of the city, as part of the council's effort to occasionally hold meetings in the city neighborhoods, as well as in city hall.
