VERO BEACH — After more than an hour of public comment and discussion among committee members, the Vero Beach Recreation Commission voted 4-1 to recommend to the Vero Beach City Council that leashed dogs be allowed in all Vero Beach city parks with some exceptions.
The committee acted on an ordinance presented by Councilwoman Pilar Turner and City Manager James O’Connor. The ordinance suggested a resolution to allow leashed dogs in “certain city parks.”
Larry Macke, of Vero Beach, expressed concern about allowing leashed dogs in areas where people exercise, specifically at Troy Moody Park near the resident’s home.
Macke sited several liabilities of allowing dogs on 8-foot leashes to walk on a 3-foot path that many people use for walking and jogging.
“I’ve seen people walking dogs in our neighborhood where they can hardly control their dogs as it is,” Macke said. “There are so many other places to walk dogs in this city.”
Several residents cried out in disagreement at Macke’s opinion, including Karen Loucks, of Vero Beach.
“You can’t take them in the parks; you can’t take them on the boardwalk; you can’t take them on the beach,” Loucks said. “You get dirty looks if you walk them downtown. The only place to go is down the middle of the street!”
Terry Konstantinidis, of Vero Beach, told the committee he has seen “nothing but hypocrisy from any of [them].”
“You love dogs, but you want the dogs to be in a cage,” Konstantinidis said. He added people leave more trash behind in public places like parks and beaches than dogs would, should they be allowed on the grounds.
After all comments were heard, Committee Chairman, Dick Yemm, motioned to recommend to City Council that dogs be allowed on leashes, in all parks, with the exception of playgrounds, beaches and boardwalks.
During discussion, Vice-Chairman Lin Reading, expressed deep opposition to the committee’s recommendation.
Reading called the recommendation “ridiculous” and “ludicrous.” She suggested the committee needs more time and more study to make a proper recommendation regarding the ordinance brought before it.
O’Connor specified he would relay the message to City Council that the Recreation Committee recommends leashed dogs in all parks “where practical.”