Ask the Mayor - September 2010

Mayor Reynolds,

One of the activities my husband and I enjoy doing when we visit other cities is taking our dog (Ralph) to local dog parks.  As Ralph is an “only child” he really enjoys being able to run freely with his canine friends at the park.  Unfortunately for Ralph he only gets this play time when we visit other cities.  Is it possible for Bainbridge to build a dog park? (somewhere at the Boat Basin perhaps?) Ralph and his canine pals (and their parents) would be very grateful! 

Thanks for your thoughts!

Michelle Hufstetler

Bainbridge, GA

Dear Michelle,

  A dog park is a great idea.  While there are some dog parks run by local governments or the state, a lot of dog parks are owned by private citizens or businesses.  What a great opportunity for an entrepreneur in the area, or even a local civic group! 

  While the city has no designated park for dogs to play, residents and visitors are welcome to walk their dogs at any time in any of the city’s many parks.  However, there are a few rules that one must follow.  First, it is the owner’s responsibility to pick up any of the animal’s waste.  Willis Park provides bags for animal waste to be disposed of in. 

   Running at large is prohibited anywhere in the city limits that is not your own personal property.  According the Code of Bainbridge, Georgia Section 10-4, “It shall be the duty of the owner of any animal to keep the animal under control at all times while the animal is off the real property limits of the owner.  For the purposes of this action, an animal is deemed under control when it is confined within a vehicle, parked or in motion, is secured by a leash or other device held by a competent person, is under voice command of a competent person being present with the animal, or is properly confined within an enclosure with permission of the owner of the property where the enclosure is located.”

   I encourage you to use our parks for walking your pets, but be sure to follow the city’s rules while doing so. 

Sincerely,

Mayor Reynolds