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Waupaca council approves dog ordinance

Dogs must now be on a leash when they are on the city’s trail system.

The ordinance was approved by the Common Council when it met on Oct. 18.

The vote was 4-4, with Jim Boyer, Steve Hackett, Paul Mayou and Scott Purchatzke voting yes and Paul Hagen, Paul Lehman, Eric Olson and Dave Shambeau voting no. Deb Fenske and John Lockwood were absent.

Mayor Brian Smith then broke the tie vote and voted yes.

Shambeau often runs on the trail near Swan Park, and repeated what he said at a previous meeting – that he does not believe such an ordinance is necessary.

However, Parks Superintendent Russ Montgomery said some trail users have brought concerns forward, saying they do not like being surprised on blind corners with unleashed dogs.

He said those concerns are legitimate and that there have not been any problems – yet.

Another ordinance related to dogs was referred back to the city’s Judiciary Committee.

The ordinance proposal that was before the council would allow households in the city to have three dogs.

It was sent back to committee, because the city’s current ordinance actually says “two dogs per person,” not “two dogs per household.”

As a result, some members of the council questioned whether residents complying with the current ordinance (thus possibly having more than three dogs) would be grandfathered in if the ordinance amendment was approved.

That’s why it will have another look by the Judiciary Committee.

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