Appleton upholds ban on dogs in parks

APPLETON - The city's 28 parks will continue to operate as dog-free zones.

A resolution to allow leashed dogs on park roads and trails failed to pass Wednesday on a 6-8 vote by the Common Council.

Alderwoman Christine Williams said many Appleton residents don't want dogs in parks.

"They don't want them chasing squirrels," Williams said. "They don't want them to get loose in a park because dogs inherently get loose on a leash, and they can run after kids on a soccer team. People might think that's funny, except for the kid who really is terrified of dogs."

Alderman Curt Konetzke said he doesn't think city parks are a proper place for dogs.

"The smaller parks that we have in our area are meant for children to play in," he said.

The council previously rejected a request to allow dogs in parks in February 2014. The vote at that time was 11-4.

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Aldermen Vered Meltzer and Matthew Reed introduced a resolution in June to allow dogs in parks provided they were "under full control of a collared leash by the owner at all times."

Health Officer Kurt Eggebrecht and Police Chief Todd Thomas each raised health and safety concerns with allowing dogs in parks, and the Parks and Recreation Committee voted 3-0 to reject the measure.

"Even when leashed, a large dog can overpower its handler," Eggebrecht said in a memo to the committee.

The resolution was amended when it reached the council floor to allow leashed dogs on park roads and paved or gravel trails, but not on playgrounds, athletic fields, picnic areas, skateboard parks, lawns or in park shelters.

That was one of two options for consideration developed by Dean Gazza, director of parks, recreation and facilities management. The other option was to keep the current ban in place.

Alderman Jeff Jirschele said option to allow leashed dogs on park roads and trails but not on lawns or playgrounds was a reasonable compromise.

"Let's meet them halfway," Jirschele said. "Let's do this. Let's see how it works, keeping them out of greenspaces — I totally agree with that — and put this on the map for Appleton."

Alderwoman Cathy Spears encouraged the council to defeat the resolution. She suggested Appleton look at creating a dog park in a central location. "Right now I cannot support this," she said.

During the council's public forum, nearly 20 people spoke on the issue, with most urging the council to allow dogs in parks.

Appleton resident Scott Dercks said permitting dogs in parks would promote a sense of community and protect against nefarious people. “Parks will be safer with dogs,” he said.

Daniel Kohl of Appleton asked the council to keep the city’s ban in place.

“A dog is an animal,” Kohl said. “No matter how long you train it, if it’s provoked in any way or in any form, it can turn back to its natural state and bite someone.”

Duke Behnke: 920-993-7176, or dbehnke@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @DukeBehnke

Council vote on allowing dogs on park roads and trails

Aldermen in support: Patti Coenen, Kyle Lobner, Jeff Jirschele, Matthew Reed, Vered Meltzer, Chris Croatt. 

Aldermen in opposition: Kathleen Plank, William Siebers, Curt Konetzke, Ed Baranowski, Margret Mann, Joe Martin, Christine Williams, Cathy Spears.