The Hollister City Council this week approved the first reading
of an ordinance that lays out the rules and regulations for the dog
park that is being built next to the Hollister Municipal Airport.
The rules are expected to be formally adopted at the council’s Oct.
17 meeting.
The Hollister City Council this week approved the first reading of an ordinance that lays out the rules and regulations for the dog park that is being built next to the Hollister Municipal Airport. The rules are expected to be formally adopted at the council’s Oct. 17 meeting.
Construction of the park is “well under way,” according to a staff report by Airport Director Mike Chambless, making the addition of specific, dog park-related rules to the city’s Municipal Code necessary.
City Manager Clint Quilter said new fencing is being added to the park and paving of its parking lot is scheduled for Nov. 2.
In his report, Chambless said the rules, modeled after San Jose’s dog park rules, “will help provide for a safe, enjoyable experience” at the Hollister dog park.
Under the rules, all dogs must be off leash while at the park, as “leashed dogs would be at a disadvantage within the dog park.” Dogs must be accompanied by an owner or custodian who is over the age of 16, as Chambless said “we believe a responsible person who is 16 years old would be able to effectively handle a potential issue before it becomes a major issue.”
Each person at the park could have no more than three dogs with them, according to the ordinance. This rule is based on the city’s rules that allow three dogs per residence.
Dogs must wear visible proof of current dog licensing and female dogs in heat will not be permitted at the park to prevent aggressive behavior from male dogs.
Dog owners will be required to immediately pick up any messes that their dogs leave and store them in a proper receptacle to enhance sanitation at the park.
The proposed rules also stipulate that people in possession of a dog that is acting aggressively must remove the animal immediately from the park to reduce the chance of fighting between dogs.
A fenced area at the park will be limited to dogs under 30 pounds, as well as elderly or weak dogs and no food or drinks will be allowed at the facility.
“This will prevent dogs form eating people food, which is not beneficial for them,” Chambless wrote in his report. “This also will aid in sanitation of the facility.”
