Clarendon won’t have dog ordinance for now

The Town of Clarendon decided to take no action on a proposed dog ordinance at its October 10 meeting. That doesn’t mean that the town won’t ever adopt an ordinance, but it seems unlikely that the ordinance, in its present form, will be adopted anytime soon.

The town board held public hearings late summer and early fall about the proposed ordinance which was written because of an increasing number of dog-related complaints. Under the proposal, dog owners would be prohibited from: allowing dogs to run at large on others’ property, including public property, without permission; habitually chasing vehicles in a way that impairs the safety and comfort of any person; chasing or harassing any person in a way that causes reasonable apprehension of harm or injury; defecating or urinating on any premise other than the owner’s, including public property, (unless permission has been granted); causing damage to other’s property; and engaging in prolonged barking or howling. In addition, it would be unlawful for dog owners to keep the animals in an unsanitary enclosure.

The ordinance also included a schedule of fines.

Residents at the public hearings were divided about the issue. Former town councilman Glenn Potter, who has followed the issue, believes the town will still talk about the issue and perhaps even put it up for a referendum at some point in the future.