Derby is looking to ban dogs — and all other animals — from the Greenway trail along the Naugatuck River.
Residents can weigh in on the proposal at the public hearing tonight (March 22).
The hearing starts at 7 p.m. at Derby City Hall.
The ordinance was drafted this month, after Derby officials became fed up with dog-poop problems on the walkway.
The Derby Board of Aldermen have tried to deal with the problem in a number of ways. There are stations along the trail offering ways to discard dog poop. They’ve placed temporary dog bans to deal with the poop.
They’ve discussed the issues at countless aldermen meetings.
But walkers continue to complain that dog piles still litter the trail.
If the ordinance is approved by Aldermen, people could face a $75 fine if they bring their dogs, cats, birds, snakes or horses on the Greenway trail.
Ansonia has already implemented a similar rule on its side of the trail, called the Ansonia Riverwalk.
The ordinance, as proposed, reads:
“No person shall take domestic or exotic animals onto the Greenway. Animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, snakes, rodents and horses.
Any violation of the rules and regulation of this ordinance may be enforced by the City of Derby Police Department, by citation and fine in the amount of $75, or any other fine as allowed by law.
The City of Derby Police Department shall be authorized to direct person(s) who violate this Ordinance to leave the Greenway.”
