Historic Vote
For the first time since the City ordained the leash law (in 1994?) off-leash recreation is legal in Somerville. Yesterday, the Board of Aldermen amended the Municipal Ordinances, Sec. 3-34. Dogs at-large. The ten Aldermen present voted unanimously for the amendment.
The amended article now reads (amended text is in italics):
Sec. 3-34. Dogs at-large.It shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any dog to permit any such animal to run loose or be at-large within the corporate limits of the city. All dogs found any place other than on the premises of the owner or custodian, or any specifically posted off-leash area which is designated as an off leash recreational area, dog park or a dog run, and in accordance with posted rules therein, shall be deemed to be running loose or to be at-large within the meaning of this section, except such dogs that may be under control by means of a chain or leash, not longer than six feet or those that may be in any vehicle or boat, while so therein, which shall be deemed to be under personal control of owner or custodian thereof.
(Code 1963, ? 13-4; Ord. No. 1994-14 6-23-94)
Download amendment (.doc file).
The Municipal Ordinances can be accessed from the City website .
A big round of applause for the Mayor, the Aldermen, the Dog Owners Task Force and friends of Somerville dogs (especially the dog owners who attended the Board of Aldermen meeting last night).
Comments
Yay! Congrats for all your hard work. Somerville needs this type of boost.
Melissa, "Sadie" and "Sam"
Posted by: Melissa at June 10, 2005 10:39 AM
Now where can I find that specifically posted off-leash area which is designated as an off leash recreational area, dog park or a dog run in Somerville?
This is a great step, but I've run into several people recently that have interpreted this amendment to mean that the ticket man will no longer visit the Bike Path. Am I wrong in assuming the Bike Path has not been designated as an off-leash area?
Posted by: Tom at June 15, 2005 11:41 AM
Thanks for posting, Tom.
You are not wrong. Off-leash recreation is now legal in the city in designated off-leash recreational areas and in accordance with posted rules. No off-leash recreational areas have yet been designated in Somerville.
The Community Path—it's for the whole community, not just for bikes—is posted "No Dogs Allowed." Dogs are not allowed in parks that are posted "No Dogs Allowed"—not even dogs on leash. As in every other park in Somerville that is posted "No Dogs Allowed," it is illegal for families with dogs to enjoy a walk together on the Community Path.
Posted by: Canis Major
at June 15, 2005 12:02 PM
I wonder if the Community Path dog owner's new best friend, i.e. our fellow dog walker who has been calling the police to report dogs off-leash, realizes that he too is a scofflaw.
I certainly hope the progress towards a true off-leash area in Somerville continues. Thanks!
Posted by: Tom at June 15, 2005 3:41 PM
Thanks again for using the Somerville Dog Owners Group website, Tom. Your comments and participation are really helpful!
This is the first that I've heard about a dog walker reporting dogs off-leash on the Path. The issue merits discussion: in neighboring towns—Arlington, Boston, Cambridge and Medford—families may enjoy a tranquil walk in their neighborhood parks with their leashed dogs.
Dogs that are on leash and dogs that are off leash can be a dangerous combination. In addition to working for designated off-leash recreational areas the Somerville Dog Owners Group is also working to get the "No Dogs Allowed" signs taken down at parks like the Community Path, so that families can walk together in our neighborhood parks with our leashed dogs. It's in all of our interest—and in the interest of all our dogs—that we work together for dog-friendly policies in Somerville's open spaces.
Posted by: Canis Major
at June 16, 2005 8:18 AM
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