1. Townwide Dog Regulation Evaluation and Recommendation Office of the Town Manager 6.8.2010

2. FY2010/2011 Board of Selectmen Goal To develop Town-wide policies to regulate the presence and activities of dogs at recreational facilities, playgrounds, and athletic facilities

3. Critical Issues for Evaluation Health Safety Protection of Assets Comfort Convenience

4. Property Jurisdiction Board of Selectmen Park and Recreation Commission Memorial Park Trustees Conservation Commission School Committee

5. Common Reasons for Prohibiting Animals Many children and adults are afraid of dogs Many people are allergic to pets/fur Dogs can be unpredictable when provoked Dogs react differently when surrounded by running children, screaming fans, whistles, and horns

6. Common Reasons for Prohibiting Animals Dogs may run alongside children/owners during games Dogs may react to other pets and attempt to defend themselves Dogs may react to the presence of food Dogs may react to unfamiliar children who approach inappropriately

7. Needham Has No “Pooper Scooper” Law “No person shall permit a dog owned or kept by her/him to perform its natural body functions on any property other than that of the dog’s owner or keeper without the approval of said property owner.”

8. Pooper Scooper Issues Some dog owners do not clean up after their dogs. If not picked up, dog waste is one of the major non-point source water pollutants If not picked up, dog waste can cause a slippery play surface Dog feces contains a significant amount of bacteria

9. Pooper Scooper Issues Even if picked up, dog waste is harmful to the long-term viability of synthetic turf fields. Loose stools and urine cannot be picked up. Urine is acidic and destroys the root system of grass, creating an uneven playing surface.

10. Needham’s Leash Law “No person shall allow a dog owned or kept by her/him to go beyond the confines of the property of the owner or keeper unless the dog is held firmly on a leash, the length of which shall not exceed six (6) feet. An owner or keeper may use a leash of greater length to restrain a dog on the property, provided the dog is securely confined to the premises.”

11. Leash Law Complaints Many dog owners do not understand or ignore the leash law. Many dog owners allow their dogs off leash in recreational areas, playgrounds and athletic facilities. Dogs are often off-leash in the Town Forest. Commercial dog walkers with multiple dogs off- leash result in frequent complaints.

12. Dog Bites There were 18 dog bites in Needham in fiscal year 2009, 13 of which were treated at the local hospital. Two of the 18 dog bites required rabies vaccination – one bite on a field and one on a trail

13. Fines 2009 – 14 leash law violations (6 unpaid) 2009 – 211 unlicensed violations (70 unpaid) 2008 – 9 leash law violations (4 unpaid) 2008 – 380 unlicensed violations (89 unpaid)

14. Dog Regulation in Other Communities Hopkinton: No dogs on school property at any time. No dogs allowed on the Town Common, all parks, and Town beaches. Hopkinton has a leash law effective from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Ashland: The Animal Control Officer may restrain or muzzle any dog found in a school, school yard, or public recreation area. Ashland has a leash law.

15. Dog Regulation in Other Communities Dover: No leash law but dogs are prohibited at Caryl Park. Wayland: Dogs are banned on school grounds during the school day, and at all times on the synthetic turf fields. Dogs are banned at the Town cemetery, and during operating hours at Town beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. No leash law (although more than two dogs per owner must be leashed on Conservation land).

16. Dog Regulation in Other Communities Dedham: Dogs are banned in any Town park or playground. Dedham has a leash law. Weston: No leash law except for those walking three or more dogs; all dogs must be leashed at public gatherings, on school grounds and playing fields. No dogs allowed on playing fields enclosed by fencing, and no dogs for recreational purposes in Town cemetery.

17. Dog Regulation in Other Communities Millis: Dogs are prohibited in schools, school yards and recreation areas. Millis has a leash law. Medway: Dogs are prohibited in schools, school yards and recreation areas. Medway has a leash law and a dog park. Natick: “The investigating officer may order an animal to be muzzled or confined if found in a school, school yard or public recreation area.” Natick has a leash law.

18. Dog Regulation in Other Communities Westborough: Dogs are considered a public nuisance and prohibited from school yards and recreation areas. The Town has designated two parks where dogs may be taken on leash. Tufts University operates a dog park. Westborough’s regulation allows leash or voice control.

19. Dog Regulation in Other Communities Arlington: This past May, Arlington Town Meeting voted to establish off leash hours at some parks between dawn and 9:00 a.m. This excludes parks that are contiguous to a school, and parks within 15 feet of a playground. Arlington has a leash law.

20. Dog Regulation in Other Communities Newton: Cold Spring Park has been the site of a pilot off-leash program. The Park and Recreation Commissioner recently recommended expansion of the program to four areas. Brookline: The “Green Dog” program has been operating in Brookline since 1994 – 15 parks are open at specific times for off- leash dogs.

21. Recommendations Restrict dogs/pets from Memorial Field and DeFazio Park (including tot lot) Restrict dogs/pets from school playgrounds during school hours Regulate commercial dog walkers Enact a Pooper Scooper law

22. Commercial Dog Walker By-Law Commercial dog walker is defined as a person engaged in the business of exercising or handling dogs owned by another, using public land, and receiving compensation Definition excludes elementary, high school, & college students with no more than 2 dogs

23. Commercial Dog Walker By-Law Commercial dog walker fee to be non- transferable, non-refundable Permit to be carried on person, placard to be displayed in vehicle Limit of 5 dogs Commercial dog walkers to indemnify the Town and carry liability insurance All other regulations apply

24. Pooper Scooper By-law No person owning or keeping a dog shall suffer, permit, or allow such a dog to leave feces on any public property or on any private property of someone other than the dog’s owner without the approval of the property owner, within the Town of Needham. Any person having custody and control of a dog in any such area shall carry with him or her proper equipment for the removal of such feces. For the purposes of this section, the means of removal shall be any tool, implement, or other device carried for the purpose of picking up and containing such feces.

25. Recommendations (continued) Authorize fines for violation of dog/pet regulations adopted by Board of Selectmen, Memorial Park Trustees, Conservation Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, School Committee (By-law amendment) Increase targeted enforcement Enact new methods for collecting unpaid fines

26. Recommendations (continued) Consider by-law provision to allow off- leash areas by regulation adopted by the Board of Selectmen

27. Note Dog regulations exempt dogs specially trained as assistance dogs from many restrictions