Raleigh's Public Works Committee will hear a proposed ordinance that would govern where dogs are allowed in parks.
City rules require that dogs be on a leash in all public places, and that their owners pick up their pets' waste. But Raleigh's parks department is still getting complaints about dogs running loose and threatening children.
Parks Superintendent Wayne Schindler says visitors also say they're finding dog droppings on ball fields.
“The rule is in place but there's no ordinance behind it, there's no law to back it up. So in order to have it be enforceable, it's got to be codified as part of the city ordinance.”
Schindler says the proposal would ban dogs from athletic fields and courts, and playgrounds. The ordinance also calls for the city to build more dog parks.
Opponents say the ordinance puts unfair restrictions on responsible pet owners. The committee will meet today at 5 p.m. at the Upchurch Government Complex.