There is hereby established within the Town of Smithfield a
dog park for the purpose of allowing the off-leash exercise of dogs,
provided that such dog is under the control of an attendant who is
competent and knowledgeable relative to the behavior of said dog(s).
There is hereby established a Smithfield Dog Park Committee
with the powers set forth in this chapter.
The Smithfield Dog Park Committee shall consist of three members,
appointed by the Town Council from among the qualified voters of the
Town, each to serve a term of three years, with the terms so arranged
that the term of at least one of the members shall expire each year.
In the event of a vacancy on the Committee, the Town Council shall
make an interim appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Members of the Committee shall represent the dog community in the
Town of Smithfield.
The Committee shall organize annually and, by election, shall
select from its membership a Chair and Vice Chair and may adopt any
rules of procedure deemed necessary in discharging its duties.
Two members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
The general duties and purposes of the Smithfield Dog Park Committee
are as follows:
A. Volunteer and recruit additional volunteers to help maintain the
condition of the park to ensure cleanliness, health and safety.
B. Recommend to the Town Council necessary rules and regulations for
the dog park.
C. Promote education on dog safety.
E. Develop fundraising strategies and solicit donations to fund improvements
to the park.
The Committee shall be advisory in nature and shall not replace
or duplicate the duties of the Town Council. The Committee may seek
municipal assistance through the Town Manager.
While inside the facility, children under the age of 16 shall
be accompanied by an adult attendant who shall be responsible for
the child's proper behavior and safety. Such children are not
permitted to excite or antagonize any dogs using the facility by any
means, including, but not limited to, shouting, screaming, waving
their arms, throwing objects, or running at or chasing dogs.
To ensure the safety of the dogs and attendants, the following
shall not be permitted at or within the dog park facilities:
A. Animals that are not dogs.
B. Dogs under the age of four months.
C. Any sexually intact dog, male or female. (All dogs must be spayed
or neutered and supply proof upon registration.)
D. Dogs deemed to be vicious, or who have a previous history of aggressive
behavior toward other animals or humans.
E. The use of bicycles, rollerblades/skates, skateboards and similar
types of exercise equipment.
F. Motorized vehicles and devices, except for wheelchairs for the disabled.
G. Glass bottles and similar breakable containers.
J. Food of any type, including dog biscuits/treats.
K. Professional dog trainers may not use the facility in conjunction
with the operation of their business.
Any owner or handler of a dog that has been designated as dangerous,
or which he or she has reason to know is dangerous, shall not bring
such a dog into a dog park or off-leash area. Violation of this provision
shall be cause for termination of any privileges associated with the
use of the facility and shall be subject to a fine of $100. This provision
shall not negate any other penalties that may apply for harboring
a dangerous dog.
A dog bite occurring in a dog park or off-leash area shall be
reported to the local police or Animal Control Officer by anyone involved
or anyone witnessing such event, or by a physician or veterinarian
or other health service provider treating the victim of a bite. A
set of rules governing the operation of the facility shall be posted
at the entrance to the dog park and shall include the phone number
of the Smithfield Animal Control Division and Smithfield Police Department.
Each dog bite occurring at the facility shall be reported to Smithfield
Animal Control, and the owner shall be subject to the following: for
a first violation, a fine of $50; for a second or subsequent violations,
a fine of $100. Said fines will be deposited into the Animal Control
Fines and Fees Fund. The Smithfield Police Department and Smithfield
Animal Control Officers shall be authorized to enforce the provisions
of this article.