The San Carlos Police Department and the Parks & Recreation Department wish to remind you that it is illegal for dogs to be off leash in any park other than the City Dog Park.

There have been an increased amount of complaints regarding dog owners not complying with the City Ordinances regarding animals in city parks.The City of San Carlos will be addressing these concerns immediately by publicizing the problem, communicatingoptions and increasing enforcement.

Effective Monday, May 22, 2006 strict enforcement of this ordinance will begin and owners will be cited.

The City ordinance reads as follows:

12.12.270 Animals in park facilities.

No person other than a peace officer, City personnel or animal control officer in the discharge of their duties shall:

D. Bring into or maintain in or upon any park facility any dog, cat or other animal unless such animal at all times is kept on a leash and under full control of its owner or custodian.

The following problems are created when dogs are allowed to run loose in City parks:

1. Fecal material left on ground and ball fields
2. Dogs urinating and leaving excrement in children’s play areas/sand boxes
3. Holes dug by dogs creating safety problems on ball fields
4. Enthusiastic dogs startling toddlers,elderly and others, creating potentially hazardous situations
5. Interference with mowers and other maintenance work
6. Numerous complaints from community members

We request your cooperation and encourage you to use the exercise area at Heather Park (adjacent to Heather School, 2700 Melendy Drive) should you want to allow your dog to run off a leash.This site is open, wonderfully scenic and has “pooper scooper” dispensers and a trash can available for your use.

It is allowable for you and your dog to use any public park as long as your dog is leashed,licensed, under full control of its owner or custodian, and fecal matter is picked up.

Thank you for your cooperation.