Dog Leash and Off-Leash Hours Bill Signed (Bill 09-0322)

According to the agenda for the June 8 Baltimore City Council meeting, the Mayor signed Bill 09-0322 on June 1.

This was a bill that I strongly advocated for after the City Council signed a bill that went into effect in February of this year that raised the fines for almost all dog related offenses to $1,000. In a city that has no governmentally supported off-leash areas, these fines were awful.

Fortunately, the city council acted quickly to reduce the fines and added language authorizing the Department of Recreation and Parks to develop off-leash areas in the city (as opposed to dog parks which require a lot more in the way of planning and construction).

It's great to see what a little bit of citizen action can do in Baltimore!