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ITEM: ORDINANCE NO. 2024-25 (ANIMALS IN PARKS)
AN ORDINANCE OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA’S COUNCIL AMENDING CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE III, DIVISION 1, SECTION 14-18 (WILDLIFE) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CLARIFY THAT LEASHED DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN CERTAIN WELLINGTON PARKS; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
REQUEST: Approval of Ordinance No. 2024-25 to amend Chapter 14, Article III, Division 1, Section 14-18 of the Wellington Code of Ordinances to clarify that leashed dogs are allowed in certain Wellington parks.
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EXPLANATION: Wellington’s Code of Ordinances presently prohibits animals in Wellington parks except that leashed pets are permitted in the neighborhood parks and at the Dog Park on Greenbriar Boulevard. The Wellington Town Center was designed to be dog-friendly so that members of the public can walk around outdoors with their leashed dogs, except in areas where dogs are prohibited by posted signage, such as in the grass in front of the Amphitheater.
The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that animals are prohibited in Wellington parks, but to provide an exception for leashed dogs in the following locations, so long as the owner ensures proper disposal of pet waste: (1) the neighborhood parks, (2) the Dog Park, and (3) outdoors at Wellington Town Center, except in areas where dogs are prohibited by posted signage. The amendment also clarifies that dogs can be off-leash inside the fenced area of the Dog Park. The exception in section 14(E) for service animals remains unchanged.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: YES QUASI-JUDICIAL: NO
FIRST READING: YES SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: NONE
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Ordinance No. 2024-25 to amend Chapter 14, Article III, Division 1, Section 14-18 of the Wellington Code of Ordinances to clarify that leashed dogs are allowed in certain Wellington parks.