§ 26-16. Off leash areas, dog parks.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    An "off leash area" is an area designated by the city in which dogs, under the effective control of their owners or handlers, may be off a leash.

    (b)

    Rules and regulations; penalty.

    (1)

    All dogs must be on a leash while entering and exiting the dog park.

    (2)

    Dogs are not required to be on a leash while in the fenced area of the park. All dogs must be under the control of the owner/handler and there is a limit of two (2) dogs per owner/handler in the park at any time.

    (3)

    No dog may be left unattended in the park and must be within view of and within voice control of the owner/handler at all times. Dog owners/handlers must be physically capable of controlling their dogs and must prevent aggressive behavior, biting, fighting, and aggressive barking.

    (4)

    Dogs showing any aggression must be leashed and immediately removed from the park. Dogs with a known history of aggressive or dangerous behavior are prohibited from entering the park.

    (5)

    Dog owners/handlers must carry one leash per each dog under their control while in the park.

    (6)

    Dogs under four (4) months of age are not allowed in the park.

    (7)

    Dogs must have current vaccinations to enter the park.

    (8)

    Dogs must wear a collar with a current rabies tag and current city license tag while in the park.

    (9)

    Dogs must be healthy and free of contagious diseases and parasites while in the park.

    (10)

    Dogs in heat are not allowed in the park.

    (11)

    Appropriate dog toys are allowed in the park, but not toys that are edible such as rawhides and bones.

    (12)

    Dog owners/handlers are responsible for immediately picking up and disposing of all of their dog's waste in appropriate receptacles.

    (13)

    Dog owners/handlers must repair any damage caused by their dog (such as holes dug by the dog).

    (14)

    Animals other than dogs are not allowed in the park.

    (15)

    All children thirteen (13) years of age and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times while in the dog park.

    (16)

    No food (dog or human), glass or metal containers, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, scooters, strollers, carriages, smoking or alcohol are allowed in the dog park.

    (17)

    The park is subject to closure upon a determination by the city that there is a reason deemed to be in the public's interest or safety or for maintenance.

    (18)

    Any person who violates the dog park rules may be removed from the park and may be prohibited from returning to or using the park.

    (19)

    Violations of these rules are punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00).

    (20)

    All other city ordinances pertaining to parks shall remain in effect.

    (c)

    Signage.

    (1)

    The city shall post and maintain clearly readable sign(s) in a visible location on or near the area, which signs shall provide notice regarding:

    a.

    Hours of operation;

    b.

    The rules and regulations of the dog park;

    c.

    A statement limiting the liability of the city, such as:

    "Use of this park is at your own risk. Dog owners/handlers are responsible for the actions and behavior of their dogs and are liable for damages or injury inflicted by their dogs. The City of Galveston has no liability or responsibility for damage or injuries in the dog park. Park users assume all risk associated with use of the park and waive liability of the City of Galveston for any injury or damage caused by dogs or humans while accessing or using the park."

    d.

    A violation or penalty provision;

    e.

    Contact information for the parks and recreation department and the Galveston Police Department.

    (2)

    Reserved.

    (d)

    Designated areas.

    (1)

    The area designated for an "off leash area" or dog park, is located at 600 Holiday Drive and is a sectioned off, fenced in area located in Lindale Park. The "off leash area" or dog park at this location, will be known as the Lindale Dog Park.

    (2)

    The area designated for an "off leash area" or dog park area is located at 2222 28th Street and is a sectioned off, fenced in area located in Menard Park. The "off lease area" or dog park at this location, will be known as the Menard Dog Park.

    a.

    The city may from time to time designate other "off leash" or dog park areas.

    b.

    This section establishes the rules and regulations of current and future "off leash" or dog park areas within the city.

    (e)

    Hours of operation. The designated dog parks shall normally be open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. The parks and recreation department may expand the hours, restrict public access, or close the park during these hours if and when it deems doing so appropriate.

(Ord. No. 11-031, § 2, 4-28-11; Ord. No. 12-041, § 2, 8-9-12)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 11-031, § 2, adopted April 28, 2011, enacted provisions intended for use as section 26-27. Inasmuch as there are already provisions so designated, and at the discretion of the editor, said provisions have been redesignated as section 26-16.