The proposed Animal Control Ordinance, now in its seventh revision, continues to face opposition from residents over a controversial provision that would ban off-leash dogs at Huntley Meadows.
For the third time this spring, the Selectboard delayed voting on the ordinance during their May 28 meeting. The board has spent about an hour discussing the ordinance in each of the last four meetings, with the next discussion scheduled for June 11. A final vote could come as soon as next week.
The draft ordinance aims to replace the current 2005 law and largely follows the Vermont League of Cities and Towns’ model Animal Control Ordinance. However, Section 13 introduces stricter rules, requiring dogs to be leashed in all town-owned recreation areas—including Barrett Park, Gile Mountain trail, Milton Frye Nature Area, Blue Ribbon Connector Trail, certain Class IV roads converted to trails, and the base of Ballard Trail.
The most contentious aspect is the proposal to ban dogs entirely from the marked playing fields at Huntley Meadows during sports seasons and to require dogs to be leashed at all other times on the rest of the recreation area located on Turnpike Road.
Town officials cite multiple incidents over the years where residents have been bitten or knocked over by dogs at Huntley Meadows as justification for the proposed restrictions.
Board member Matt Swett reflected on the ongoing community engagement, saying, “I think we’re getting towards this spot where everybody has been heard and feels like they’ve gotten something from speaking up.”
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