Some people are happier than others about the shelter finally enforcing rules regarding dogs and leashes.
Officers from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter started issuing tickets earlier this year for people walking their dogs without leashes. Judging from a recent newsletter from Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold, the enforcement change is causing a stir in parts of the county.
The animal shelter’s board will talk about the issue at its April meeting, according to the newsletter.
The newsletter acknowledges that some dog owners are feeling oppressed under the newly enforced “decades-old” policy and suggested a rationale for the shift. “This enforcement is not the result of a new county policy but instead a reallocation of resources at the animal shelter,” Leopold’s letter reads
Leopold tells Santa Cruz Weekly new shelter officers were hired recently, and they sometimes do extra patrols of local beaches when work gets slow. They also check to make sure dogs have their proper licenses.
Leopold, who holds weekly constituent meetings, says some people are happy someone is finally cracking down on leashless pooches. “Dozens of people have been showing up on all sides of this to talk about it,” he says.
The newsletter encourages people to attend the animal shelter’s April 9 meeting in the supervisor chambers at 701 Ocean Street. Perhaps idealistic dog owners should not leave their picket signs—or their lofty ideas for leash-free utopia—at home. The letter says the board will also be discussing “recommendations for any policy changes.”
Leopold says policy recommendations from that meeting could eventually end up in front of the board of supervisors.
