SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano City Council made an amendment to a policy that will now allow dogs in all City of Shawano Parks at their meeting on Wednesday.
The decision came on a recommendation from the Park and Rec Commission. With the approval, dogs will be allowed at all city parks with the exception of inside the fences of baseball and softball diamonds.
“Dogs being identified as part of a family has become more so part of our society than it has in the past,” Park and Rec Director Matt Hendricks said.
Hendricks said their will be rules that need to be followed including dogs must be licensed and up to date on rabies vaccinations, they must be on a visible leash that is no longer than 6 feet and dog owners are responsible for their dogs actions.
Hendricks said while it is more of an open policy, they do have one exception built in.
“There is a section in the policy that allows an event coordinator to have the ability to limit dogs for certain events.” Hendricks said it would be up to them to inform people and police it.
Hendricks said an event coordinator can be someone from the city or anybody from the community who is coordinating or hosting an event.
“The biggest thing is that we need people to clean up after their pets,” Hendricks said.
Mayor Bruce Milavitz said he felt it was a good idea. “I think that the fact that we had a few parks only that allowed it was confusing and this will clear that up.”
Alderperson Kevin Barkow said the old policy was tough to enforce.
“The signs are only as good as the people who are going to obey them, so you can have all the signs in the world, but if people are not going to obey them, they do know good, so why fight it?
Barkow said he has noticed people standing at a park with their dog standing next to a no dogs allowed sign.
Alderperson Sandy Steinke asked if dogs were going to be allowed at cemeteries. Hendricks said they already are.
“I know but that is the one place that I would say not to,” Steinke said. She ended up seconding the motion anyway and voting in favor of the policy change.
Hendricks said it is important for dog owners to know that state statutes explain owner liability when it comes to their dogs behavior.
The changes will go into effect on October 22, 2021.
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