Title
Vote on a request to amend Title IX of the Chatham County, North Carolina Code of Ordinances to allow dogs in dog parks.
Abstract
Action Requested: Motion to approve the amendment as written.
Introduction & Background: The current ordinance § 91.036 ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED states that (A) It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of an animal(s), to allow it to run at large off its owner’s or keeper’s property. This ordinance conflicts with the Parks and Recreation Department’s rules for the new county dog park at The Park at Briar Chapel at 1015 Andrews Store Road. Amending this ordinance will negate the conflict and clarify that dogs at the county dog park can be permitted to run off leash within the dog park.
Discussion & Analysis:
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: Based on the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Master Plan, a dog park was the sixth-highest facility most requested by households.
Budgetary Impact: None
Recommendation: Vote on a request to approve amending Title IX of the Chatham County, North Carolina Code of Ordinances to state that it shall not be unlawful to allow a dog to run at large in an “off-leash” area of a dog park owned or operated by a local government.