Dogs at downtown events

A resident of 51 Railroad Street said he'd be in violation just walking his gentle golden retriever out his door, questioned enforceability, and called the ban unwelcoming and likely to reduce event attendance.

A 57-year dog-world veteran and former AKC board officer called it a bad, discriminatory ordinance, warned of fake service-dog vests, said dogs aren't the problem, and suggested a six-foot leash rule instead.

A downtown resident argued 700-1,000 downtown apartments make this a neighborhood issue and cited research that banning dogs could cost $35,000-$50,000 in lost downtown spending per event.

A dog owner himself, he argued enforcement of no-dog rules should stay with city law enforcement, not volunteer event organizers, since some people ignore signs no matter what.