San Diego, California Talk Radio Station - 760 KFMB AM - 760kfmbEncinitas dog owners fight for leash leniency
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Encinitas pet owners are looking for a longer leash at local dog parks.
The city council will be taking up the issue as to whether to extend off-leash hours. The issue arose after more than a dozen residents were ticketed in what they call a raid.
Cell phone video and pictures show sheriff's deputies issuing citations to dog owners at Viewpoint Park in Encinitas after violating off-leash dog hours.
Chuck Anderson was one of more than a dozen ticketed after having his dog Spike roaming free five minutes past the posted time.
"When I get the ticket in the mail it's $445 for my one dog being off-leash," he said.
Viewpoint is one of three city parks that allow off-leash periods from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. But the hours and hefty finds has left many dog owners barking mad.
More than 2,500 signatures are now being submitted to city council members in hopes of extending off-leash dog hours to better accommodate working people's schedules.
"We owe it to the dogs," one dog owner said.
"Four to 6 in the evening, a lot of people can't get off work and make it to the park by then, so you know, 4 o'clock to dusk, maybe 4 o'clock in the morning to 8 o'clock in the morning," another dog owner said.
City officials say some residents have complained that many dog owners have been abusing the off-leash hours, and some parents are concerned about their young children sharing the park when dogs are allowed to stroll leash-free.
"We came here one time when the dogs were off leash and I just decided not to just because she's so young," a parent said.
Sheriff's deputies stand behind the citations issued, and say they're happy to address resident and city council's questions, but are quick to point out - rules are rules.
"We were asked by the city to do the enforcement, we're happy to do it, it's a clear violation of the municipal code," sheriff's department Capt. Donald Fowler said.
"When we get complaints about anything for that matter... we target that area for enforcement," Capt. Fowler said.
