Every spring after the snow melts and the Brookings Parks and Recreation Department returns to the city parks to clean them for the summer season, we are reminded how often the parks are visited by pet owners. Unfortunately, the reminder comes in the form of the animal waste that has accumulated from the late fall until the spring thaw. While pet owners are welcome to enjoy the parks with their animals, we remind them that these areas are also the playgrounds and sport venues for our children and other citizens. Pet owners are responsible year-around to clean-up after their pets and control them on a leash while in public parks and recreation areas, including school grounds and sports fields. IN FACT, IT IS THE LAW:
Art. I, Sec. 14-4 Animals on school grounds property or recreation areas.No owner or caretaker shall permit their animal to be upon school property except upon express permission of the school principal or their designee, or upon any public park unless the animal is in the control of the owner or caretaker by a leash, except when a dog is participating in an organized event or activity. (Ord. No. 32-08, I, 9-9-2008)
Fines for dogs running at large: 1st offense, $10-25; 2nd offense, $35; subsequence offenses, $50
Art. I, Sec. 14-125 Defecation disposal.No owner, keeper, caretaker or attendant of a dog or cat shall allow that animal to defecate on public or private property other than their own. If such dog or cat does defecate upon such public or private property, the owner, keeper, caretaker or attendant shall immediately clean the fecal material from such public or private property. Public property shall include any park in the city. (Ord. No. 32-08, I, 9-9-2008)
Fine for defecation disposal offense, $25
The Brookings Parks & Recreation Department thanks everyone who makes the effort to keep our parks clean and safe for our children, citizens and visitors.
For more information, contact:
Brookings Parks & Recreation Department(605) 692-2708