The Hollister City Council had held off an official approval of rules for the new dog park at the airport because they had barred people from bringing food and beverages into the park, but officials Monday removed the provision and approved the policies.
The Hollister City Council in October approved the first reading of the ordinance that lays out rules and regulations for the dog park that is being built next to the Hollister Municipal Airport. The rules were expected to be formally adopted at the council’s Oct. 17 meeting, but that was put off because of concern due to a proposed policy barring food and beverages in the park.
In his staff report, Airport Manager Mike 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.
“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.”
