I got two calls from the mayor, a letter from a council member on the ordinance committee, and lots of contacts from other dog-owners in town. Most importantly, I have not seen the dog-catcher on my beach since ...
The whole experience renewed my faith in "the system".
It works, at least at the local level.
This morning, we were stopped by two uniformed officers; I believe
one carried a Santa Barbara Police badge, and the other a City
Parks Department uniform. They were friendly and polite to both
the beagle and myself, while they informed me that after a brief
warning period, the SB City Parks department intends to start
issuing citations for any off-leash dogs seen anywhere on the
beach. They tell me that this new enforcement policy is directed
by the Santa Barbara city council. With elections coming up, I
would like to confirm the truth of this claim.
For at least the last 3 years, the enforcement policy has been stable and rational: The county parks department enforced a strictly interpreted leash law within the boundaries of the county park, extending about 200-300 feet to both sides of the parking lot, leaving the remaining beach available for responsible dog owners to exercise their pets off leash. This policy makes good sense: It allows for a zone where families with toddlers can safely let little ones romp around with minimal risk of getting jumped on by playful dogs or encountering animal waste, while still allowing a more free regime further out. I would like to see this policy brought back; I have seen no problems at Arroyo Burro Beach that would not be solved by strict application of this policy.
In general, I prefer to see minimal regulation strictly enforced,
rather than overly broad regulation enforced laxly. I do understand
that a "leash" law is easier to enforce than a "control
and clean up" law, and it appears that in many cases a "leash"
law is on the book with the intent to enforce "control and
clean up" by issuing citations against the leash law violations
only when problems are actually demonstrated. I can live with
that. But in this case it appears possible that problems of too
lax enforcement within the county park are attempted to be compensated
by too strict enforcement elsewhere. This will alienate a lot
of people without solving any problems. This enforcement patrol
could more productively be used for example to educate visitors
to the Douglas Family Preserve to keep their dogs on leash while
walking between their cars and the reserve on neighborhood streets
(News Press story today, 10/25).
I would appreciate it if you could let me know before the election:
Despite my general disenchantment with single-issue political pressure groups, I am inclined to take this as an indication that there is a real need for the Dog-PAC, and send them a check …
Respectfully yours,
Lars Poulsen
125 South Ontare Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105