Mayor Kenneth Bradley urged city commissioners Monday to finally "let a sleeping dog lie."
But just when it seemed as though the matter of dogs in city parks had been settled, commissioners agreed to revisit it again at their Aug. 9 meeting.
The issue has been tossed around for a couple of years. An ordinance voted down 3-2 Monday night would have banned dogs from Mead Garden, Kraft Azalea Garden and Dinky Dock Park.
The city's parks and recreation commission recommended the changes, which were proposed in October. Blair Culpepper, committee chairman, said the advisory committee was trying to protect the environment in the parks.
"We just felt like there were too many dog violations," Culpepper said.
But dog lover Joseph Brock, a board member and legal adviser to Friends of Fleet Peeple's Park, praised the commission's vote. And resident Rosan Calabello said she thinks environmental concerns — notably raised by Commissioner Beth Dillaha — were overblown.
"I think her argument is very wrong in cause and effect," said Calabello, who lives across the street from Mead Garden.
The decision appeared to be final, but then Commissioner Tom McMacken suggested considering an idea by city staffers. It would prohibit animals from streets next to Central Park when they are closed as part of a special park event.
The current ordinance specifies that dogs can't be on streets, rights of way or sidewalks next to Central Park that are closed to vehicular traffic during special events.
"At what point do we give this up and talk about something else?" Bradley responded.
Not immediately, it seems. Dillaha also said she remains concerned about the damage dogs could do to wildlife.
"Maybe there is a solution that is a win-win," she said.
By Susan Jacobson
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