Here are the official notes from the April 9 City Council meeting regarding proposed changes to the Animal Control ordinance.

Note that the proposed changes will be discussed again at the City Council meeting on May 21, 2007 at City Hall. As with all City Council meetings, you may submit signed letters to arrive by 5:00 the previous Thursday (in this case May 17) to:

City Council c/o Cambridge City Clerk
Cambridge City Hall Room 103
795 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge MA 02139
(617) 349-4260

You may also hand deliver letters by that time, fax them to (617) 349-4287 or email them to mdrury@cambridgema.gov.

You may sign up to speak by calling the City Council Office at (617)349-4280 on Monday 5/21 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., or by signing up at the meeting between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Here is the full text of the proposed revised ordinance (note that the second part, 6.04.045, referring to Fresh Pond will not be discussed on Monday, May 21):

FIRST PUBLICATION NUMBER 3122

City of Cambridge

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven

AN ORDINANCE

In amendment to the Ordinance entitled “Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge”

Be it ordained that Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 6 entitled “Animal Control Regulations” is hereby amended as follows:

Section 6.04.040 Dogs –Leash Exempt Areas – Off-leash Dog Areas

A. Dogs may go unleashed in areas within the City that have been designated as off-leash dog areas and signed as such. Dogs are permitted to use the off-leash dog areas provided that:

1. All dogs are leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the off-leash dog area;
2. The owner/keeper of the dog(s), at all times while his/her dog(s) is (are) using the designated off-leash dog area, is in attendance with the dog(s) in the designated area;
3. The owner/keeper of the dog(s) has a leash in his/her possession for each dog he/she owns/keeps that is using the designated area;
4. All dogs using the off-leash dog areas have a current Cambridge dog license which must be displayed on the dog at all times;
5. All dogs must be accompanied by an owner/keeper and be under his/her control at all times.
6. The following dogs are not permitted to use these off-leash dog areas:
a. Dogs determined to have a vicious disposition pursuant to M.G.L. ch. 140 §157 or Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 6.08;
b. Dogs in heat;
c. Dogs wearing prong or choke collars.

B. Each owner/keeper may only have a maximum of three (3) dogs at one time in one of the off-leash dog areas.

C. All off-leash dog areas are subject to the provisions of M.G.L. ch. 140 §157 providing, inter alia, that excessive barking, display of vicious disposition and other disturbances or sources of annoyance may constitute a nuisance.

D. Use of designated off-leash dog areas will be permitted during the regular operating hours of the park in which the off-leash dog area is located.

Section 6.04.045 Dogs – Leash Exempt Areas – Fresh Pond Reservation

A. Dogs may go unleashed on the Fresh Pond Reservation during the hours that the reservation is open to pedestrians. All dogs going unleashed in the Fresh Pond Reservation are subject to the rules and regulations outlined in Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 §040.

B. All dogs going unleashed in the Fresh Pond Reservation shall also be subject to the following regulations, and any additional licensing rules and regulations that may be promulgated from time to time pertaining to unleashed dogs in the Fresh Pond Reservation.
1. Unleashed dogs are not allowed to romp in mowed grassy areas within the Reservation.
2. Unleashed dogs must be wearing a current Fresh Pond medallion issued by the Cambridge Water Department.

Passed to a second reading at the City Council meeting held on
April 9, 2007 and on or after April 23, 2007 the question
comes on passing to be ordained.

ATTEST:-

D. Margaret Drury
City Clerk