ORDINANCE NO. BL2013-389

An ordinance amending Section 13.24.130 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to animals running at large.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation has established goals and adopted policies to accommodate recreational opportunities for dog owners and their pets on municipal park property; and,

WHEREAS, the existing dog parks are well-utilized and very popular; and,

WHEREAS, the Board of Parks and Recreation wishes to expand the use of dog parks by allowing leash-free areas in certain Metro parks; and,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Section 13.24.130 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting Subsection A in its entirety and replacing it with the following new language:
A. No person owning or being custodian or having control of any animal shall cause or permit such animal to go at large in the park. A dog may be brought into a park; provided, that such dog shall be continuously restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length; except, that no dog or other animal shall be permitted in buildings or in zoos, playgrounds, bathing and other areas designated by signs as prohibited areas. In areas clearly identified by signage approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation as leash-free areas, dogs are allowed off-leash and will not be considered at large if under the control of the owner or custodian.
B.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Karen Bennett, Erica Gilmore, Phil Claiborne

Amendment No. 1
To
Ordinance No. BL2013-389

Madam President:

I move to amend Ordinance No. BL2013-389 by deleting Section 1 in its entirety and substituting with the following new Section 1:

“Section 1. That Section 13.24.130 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting Subsection A in its entirety and replacing it with the following new language:

A.1. No person owning or being custodian or having control of any animal shall cause or permit such animal to go at large in the park. A dog may be brought into a park; provided, that such dog shall be continuously restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length; except, that no dog or other animal shall be permitted in buildings or in zoos, playgrounds, bathing and other areas designated by signs as prohibited areas. In areas clearly identified by signage approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation as leash-free areas, dogs are allowed off-leash and will not be considered at large if under the control of the owner or custodian.
2. Prior to constructing a dog park or designating an off-leash area on park property, the board of parks and recreation shall notify the district councilmember for the district where the dog park and/or off-leash area is to be located. The district councilmember shall have ten days in which to provide written comments to the board regarding possible community issues or concerns associated with the location of the proposed dog park and/or off-leash area.”

Sponsored by: Karen Bennett

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	March 5, 2013
Passed First Reading:	March 5, 2013
Referred to:	Parks Committee
Deferred:	March 19, 2013
Amended:	April 2, 2013
Passed Second Reading:	April 2, 2013
Passed Third Reading:	April 16, 2013
Approved:	April 17, 2013
By: