City consensus: No dogs allowed

Cooper City leaders rebuff calls to allow pooches in parks

Animals are still not allowed in Cooper City parks.

The consensus was made by city commissioners during a recent public hearing on the matter that focused on whether to allow dogs in parks.

“Since it’s public property, I think the public should be allowed to bring their dogs there, as long as they clean up after themselves,” said resident Ed Wooley. “We should never assume the public will be irresponsible.”

A city ordinance forbids animals such as dogs, cats and horses from roaming city parks due to “public health, welfare and safety concerns.”

The ordinance was amended in 2013 to reflect the dog park that opened in 2011 in Monterra.

Ordinance supporters cited dog owners not cleaning up after their pets, the possibility of attacks, diseases and the welfare of the burrowing owls that often make parks their home.

“For me, it’s a safety issue,” said Commissioner Jeff Green. “I have to make sure I’m doing what’s right for all the residents, and not all the residents of Cooper City have a dog.”

Commissioner John Sims, a dog owner, called dogs in parks a “health hazard.”

“These parks were for the people, not the dogs,” he said. “It’s a matter of priorities.”

On the other side, some residents said most pet owners are responsible about cleaning up after their dogs.

“Dogs are part of their families,” said Commissioner James C. Curran, who wanted to explore adding doggie bag receptacles and talk to Broward County about putting in a

dog park at Brian Piccolo Park.

Mayor Greg Ross was against adding more doggie bag stations because it would send a mixed message.

“I don’t want to be passive aggressive and put up a sign that says ‘no dogs’ and then put out bags to pick up after them,” he said.

Commissioners also dis- cussed the city’s lack of enforcement of the current ordinance, with Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi lamenting how residents “went ballistic” when new signs were posted in parks.

“Many of our residents for years have been unwittingly breaking our laws,” she said.

Representatives from the Broward Sheriff ’s Office, which polices Cooper City, said officers would help enforce the law, but several commissioners pointed out that the city only has three code enforcement officers.

“We’re just leaving something on the book,” Curran said, “that is totally, totally unenforceable.”