New dog law getting out at concerts

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Ukiah Daily Journal

By Katie Mintz

Danielle Gowan enjoys the Sundays in the Park festivities with Duke, her pet Chihuahua, Sunday afternoon at Todd Grove Park. The Ukiah City Council recently approved an ordinance prohibiting dogs from attending the popular summer event. But a few dogs still enjoy Sunday's show

The dog days of summer, or at least dogs' days at the Sundays in the Park summer series, must come to an end, according to the Ukiah City Council. Last Wednesday, the Council approved an ordinance that will prohibit dogs from upcoming Sundays in the Park concert events in Todd Grove Park. The ordinance, which takes effect July 7, was introduced in an effort to improve safety at the series, according to Sage Sangiacomo, Director of Community Service for Ukiah.

"Any time you have that many people in one location, it becomes an atypical situation for dogs," Sangiacomo said, also mentioning loud music and other noises. "Atypical environments lead to atypical behavior."

"All it takes is one dog, one time, getting into a child, and no one wants that ever to happen," Spencer Brewer, Sundays in the Park concert promoter, said. "The City Council just wants to make sure that everybody there feels safe."

The ordinance was passed unanimously by City Council members.

Brewer, who was instrumental in starting the free series 15 years ago, said that there have been isolated problems with dogs in the series' history, and sees the passing of the ordinance as a step forward.

"It's moving forward because each year we seem to get more people, and we want the experience to be good for everybody," Brewer said. He estimated that attendance for Sunday's concert was among the top three in history.

The year's first concert, as well as the next on June 25, however, did not fall under the law, which means that a number of pets, alongside their owners, enjoyed the show. According to Sangiacomo, concert staff took an educational approach regarding reinforcement of the ordinance at the first concert.

"The way we approach animal control is education, and we would hope that as the word gets out, that people don't bring their animals," Sangiacomo said. "I think all the dog owners that we spoke to (Sunday) were very understanding and complied with concert etiquette."

The concert was problem-free, according to Brewer, who deemed it a success.

"The crowd seemed to have a great time, the weather was wonderful, and I heard back from the band that Leon Russell had a good time," Brewer said.

Dianne Fransen, of Ukiah, who attended with Belle, her 5-year-old Boston terrier, also enjoyed the event. While the experience was a first for both, and probably a last -- at least for Belle -- Fransen believed Belle was also having a good time. She brought Belle, who she's had since November, to the show in order to help socialize her and make her comfortable around other people. Fransen has never had a problem with Belle, but understands the need for the ordinance.

"I hate it, but I think it's fair," Fransen said. "She's OK, but some dogs aren't."

Danielle Gowan, who brought 4-week-old Daisy, a Chihuahua and Jack Russell terrier mix, and Duke, a Chihuahua, agreed.

"Some people, when they see a pit bull, German shepherd or a Doberman, they're a little anxious, especially with kids around," Gowan said. "Of course, Chihuahuas can be really good ankle biters too," joked Gowan.

She said a lack of responsibilty on some dog-owners' behalf, including not cleaning up after their pets, probably contributed to the need for the ordinance. While she's sad that she won't be able to bring her dogs to concerts in the future, she said they would probably be more upset than she is. Daisy and Duke enjoy the concert scene, "especially the kids and the food," Gowan said.

In addition to prohibiting dogs, the new ordinance also stipulates that barbecues and other cooking devices must be restricted to use in designated picnic table areas. As with the dogs, this was primarily a safety precaution, according to both Brewer and Sangiacomo.

Violation of either rule will may result in an infraction punishable by a fine. The fine, as stated in the ordinance, will not exceed $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation and $500 for any additional violation. The regulations are effective when notice of the rules are posted at or near entrance ways to the park. The first concert to fall under the law is Kotoja on July 9. Sangiacomo again emphasized that education will be the preferred method for instituting the ordinance.

"If we have repeat offenders or individuals that refuse, we may have to take stronger action," Sangiacomo said. He said his confident that word of the ordinance is getting out and believed dog attendance would be significantly lower at the June 25 concert. On-duty city of Ukiah police officers will be responsible for issuing citations beginning July 9.