For dogs, a new law and maybe a new park

NORTH CANAAN — A dog ordinance enacted at the annual town meeting in December will remain as is. The new town law requires dogs be on a leash or confined and restricts them from being on certain town properties, including parks and recreational fields. It specifies an exemption for people with guide dogs for the blind. At the request of The Lakeville Journal, the ordinance was sent back to Town Attorney Judith Dixon to be considered against the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which also gives exemptions to people with dogs for other conditions, such as medical and psychological disorders.At the Jan. 7 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, it was reported that Dixon concluded the ordinance was sufficient as is, being identical to what other towns have, and that state law will cover service dogs for those other than the blind.Meanwhile, a plan for a dog park has some new life. The commander of Couch-Pipa VFW Post 6851 contacted the selectmen about the organization’s interest in installing a park there. The donation of the use of land at the post on Route 7 South — about an acre is needed — would solve the issues of siting and parking. Various locations, proposed by Lynne Martin and Nancy Tidd, have met with concerns or denials because of wetlands or proximity to homes. A meeting will be planned.