5-12-16 fdl council refers dogs in parks question to park board

The Fond du Lac city council has forwarded a proposal to allow pet dogs in city parks to the Advisory Park Board for review.  Councilmember Brian Kolstad says there would be areas in parks where dogs would not be allowed to help alleviate any concerns people may have.  “Playgrounds would be one area, amphitheaters would be another,”  Kolstad said.  “There’s really no rational reason why you shouldn’t have a dog in a park.”   Council president  Lee Ann Lorrigan voted against the idea.  Lorrigan says while she is open to discuss allowing dogs on leashes on a trial basis on the sidewalks and trails at Lakeside Park…she doesn’t believe dogs should be allowed in the smaller residential parks.  “Personally I think there are plenty of places to walk your dog.  I have a dog, I’m gone all the time walking my dog somewhere where a dog can be on a leash,”  Lorrigan said.  “I want to be respectful to young children playing in a park.”   Lorrigan lives next to Buttermilk Creek Park and says dogs are a problem there even though they are currently prohibited in the park.