By Roger Bloom | NB Indy
The City Council on Tuesday a proposed ordinance that shrinks the times that dogs are banned from the city’s oceanfront beaches, but leaves intact the ban on dogs on the bayfront.
The ordinance apparently diffuses a controversy that erupted when the council earlier this year gave preliminary approval to a plan to lift the ban altogether in the winter months.
Many residents, especially on Balboa Island, protested that problems they experience with dog droppings and aggressive dogs would be aggravated by lifting the ban in winter.
In response, the council referred the ordinance back to the Parks Beaches and Recreation Commission for further review and a new recommendation.
Under the new proposed ordinance, dogs would be prohibited on oceanfront beaches from Corona del Mar to the Santa Ana River jetties between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., year-round. On the bayfront, dogs would be prohibited from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which is the current curfew on all beaches.
During public testimony on the ordinance, councilmembers heard from dog owners who pleaded for lifting the ban on the oceanfront beaches in winter, and from residents who opposed any loosening of the curfew and called for better enforcement of it.
Councilmembers’ comments ranged from Mayor Keith Curry calling for more doggie-bag dispensers to Councilmember Steve Rosansky asking for a review of enforcement across the board. City Manager Dave Kiff vowed to address these council concerns.
In the end, the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance as presented. It will come back for a final vote at the next council meeting.
Randy Seton, BI, “good idea” – concerned about Little Corona, environmental
Joe McCarthy – bitten once attacked out of blue owner apologetic
Nancy Moran-Sanches CdM late husband always wanted more time
