Harmony with dogs is town's goal

With dog owners and those living dog-free frequently at odds over sharing public spaces, a panel appointed by Weston town officials is attempting to broker a truce.

Last spring, the Board of Selectmen appointed a committee, made up of citizens and representatives from town departments and local interest groups, to review bylaws and recommend how to ensure that town-owned land is avail able for enjoyment by all residents.

Cat Rock Park and the Weston Reservoir have been hotspots for complaints regarding large groups of dogs running off-leash over trails and in ponds, sullying the area with waste, or intimidating others with unruly behavior. Both areas are especially popular with commercial dog-walking services, largely because, unlike many area communities, Weston does not require dogs be leashed at all times.

"Selectmen have dealt with a variety of dog-related issues over the years and felt it was time to establish a broad-based committee, representative of community interests, to look at a range of dog issues faced by the town," Dog Committee member Jeri Cooper stated in an e-mail.

"Certainly there has been recognition that the number of commercial dog walkers using Weston trails has increased substantially in the past five or more years (especially since Wellesley made changes to their bylaws). Therefore, the charge to the committee included questions about licensing of professional dog walkers, as well as questions about 'good neighbor laws,' cleanup of dog waste, etc."

Her panel is finalizing a report to be presented to selectmen on Jan. 28. The board would then consider the recommendations, and decide whether to bring bylaw changes or other proposals before Town Meeting in May.

Committee members say taking steps now to help dogs and humans coexist peacefully will help the town avoid having to adopt a leash law like such neighboring towns as Natick, Newton, Waltham, and Wellesley.

"We're still trying to keep it amicable," said Paula Nicholas, a police dispatcher who sits on the committee.

In Wellesley, rancor between parents and dog owners over pets roaming Perrin Park prompted town officials to hastily adopt a strict leash requirement there last month. But backlash from dog owners has put the issue back before town officials, who are to reconsider the rule during a meeting Tuesday.

The Weston Dog Committee will suggest that selectmen push for more specific language in the town's regulations about where dogs are welcome and where they are not, members said.

In its recent form, the committee's report suggests that dogs could use school properties and recreation fields if they are leashed, but they would not be allowed in cemeteries, on playgrounds or on agricultural land where food is grown. Dog owners would have to keep their pets under voice control if off-leash; prevent their dogs from nuisance barking - defined as 15 minutes of constant barking - and carry a waste-collection bag at all times when out walking their pets, or face a warning or citation.

The committee is also suggesting the town consider raising license fees, as well as the fine for failing to obtain an annual license by a specific deadline. Last year, the town issued 850 dog licenses, with an annual fee of $11, reduced to $7 for spayed or neutered animals.

Perhaps the report's most contentious proposal would require a permit for commercial dog walkers using town-owned land. Some say the proposal's requirements would be onerous and unfair, far exceeding what other communities are doing.

The report calls for charging $1,000 for an annual dog-walking permit, and $100 for each additional walker employed by the service. All walkers would have to wear photo IDs when on town land and place a placard in their parked vehicle identifying them as a dog walker; abide by behavior-control and dog-waste-removal requirements; make sure all dogs being walked are properly licensed; and carry adequate liability insurance that indemnifies the town. They would be able to use town property only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

William Crum, a Weston resident who runs a dog-walking business and whose wife, Susan, serves on the Dog Committee, has said he is fine with charging out-of-town operations for a permit to use town land, since they don't pay taxes in Weston. But residents shouldn't have to pay what amounts to an extra tax to use public land, Crum said in a written statement to the committee last month.

Crum said he believes dog walkers should not have to finance public services that most communities provide through property taxes or charitable contributions.

Cooper said money collected from the permits would go into the town's general fund, not to pay for specific services.

At the committee's Dec. 15 hearing, Susan Crum said the limited access for professional dog walkers would affect Weston clients who need dog care on weekends, or outside the proposed times during the week.

At the committee's meeting last week, Crum told her fellow members that she disagreed with limited hours and intended to write a dissenting opinion to be included with the final report to the Board of Selectmen.

The $1,000 fee per business also would particularly hurt sole proprietors, Susan Crum added, since there is little cost difference between a small dog walking firm with a single employee and one with four, larger operations despite the greater number of dogs being escorted.

"The committee recognizes there are differing opinions on this," said Cooper. "Most members feel that no one has a right to conduct a business for profit on town land."

The committee is also working on an etiquette guide to be handed out with dog licenses, and posted at the library, the recreational center and on the town's website. Cooper said the guide's aim is "to begin to educate but do it in a nice way."

The guide reminds owners that their pets must be licensed and wear a rabies vaccination tag at all times; waste must be removed from town property; and dogs should not wander unattended in public places or approach people while off-leash.

Despite the committee's efforts, enforcing any new dog regulations may be difficult. The town does not have an animal control officer, though Police Chief Steven F. Shaw said he's "working hard" to hire one.

While he would welcome having one of his officers handle animal-control duties, Shaw said, there's simply not enough money in his department's budget.

Instead, a part-time position will be advertised shortly, with about $19,500 allocated for it, he said.

As an alternative, Shaw said, he's been talking with Lincoln's police chief to see whether the neighboring towns can share the cost and provide a full-time job.