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Politics & Government

Council Passes Ordinance Limiting Residents to Three Dogs Off Leash

New ordinance limits amount of dogs allowed off the leash per person.

Under a new city law passed by the city council last night, people will not be allowed to walk with more than three dogs off leashes at a time in Foster City's designated off leash areas.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the new law, with abstaining, during the meeting that took place at City Hall.

According to a city report,

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Police officers who witness a person violating the new law are allowed to use their own best judgment regarding enforcement. Potential punishment could be sending a letter to the violator, or may be as stiff as writing a fine of less than $100, according to a city report.

Dogs area allowed off the leash in , , and between the hours of 5 am and 8 am. As well, dogs may run off the leash in from 5 am until 9 am.

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There is also at in the corner of Foster City Blvd. and Bounty Drive, where dogs are allowed to run off the leash from 6:30 am until 10 pm.

The new law was prompted in part by commercial dog walkers who take more than three dogs into the dog park and allow them to run free, which is detrimental to the experience of patrons who bring their own dogs.

Lee Port, a Foster City resident, spoke to the council in favor of passing the new law.

Port said she has seen commercial dog walkers with up to nine dogs at a time come to the park, and when asked to abide by the rule of bringing only three dogs, the walker become confrontational and elected to violate the rule.

"I have two dogs, but when the dog walker's truck approaches, they are ready to go home," said Port.

said people would elect to ignore the rule because violators knew the city could not enforce a punishment. He said he hoped the new law would prevent that in the future.

said he was "amazed by the arrogance of some people," a sentiment that was shared by councilwoman Pam Frisella.

Frisella added that dog walkers were not the only people violating the rule, and Bronitsky said he has seen many people walking their dogs off the leash in the city's leash-only areas.

Bronitsky questioned whether passing the law would make a profound enough impact to discourage potential violators from obeying the city's wishes.

Councilman Art Kiesel, who voted in support of the new law, said he did not believe it would factor in preventing people from walking more than three dogs at a time off the leash.

"I will support the ordinance, but I'm under no illusion it will stop the incidents," he said. "I don't think it will have any impact on that."

said though the new law may not bring a halt to all violations, it is a step in the right direction.

"We have to start somewhere," she said. "A few people are abusing the system. It is a lack of respect."

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