Menlo Watch: Animal-control ordinance back to council Menlo Watch: Animal-control ordinance back to council (November 23, 2005)

After asking the police department to work with local pet owners, the Menlo Park City Council will take a second look at changing the city's animal-control ordinance.

At its November 29 meeting, the council will vote whether or not to amend the city's ordinance to reflect changes recently made to the San Mateo County ordinance.

On October 25, the council delayed its vote after hearing comments by two dog owners who claimed the county's language is vague and could break up families and their pets for unwarranted reasons. Under the county's ordinance, animals that have killed a person must be euthanized or banished, and animals that have attacked a person or another animal cannot live in a household with children under 18.

Rick Saletta, a representative of the Dog Owners Group of Menlo Area (DOGMA), said an uncharacteristic act by his dog toward another dog could deem it "dangerous" under the amendments, and force him to get rid of his pet. "This is a one-strike rule for pets," he said at the October 25 council meeting.

The council recommended Mr. Saletta and other dog owners work with members of the police department to recommend changes in the language to make the ordinance more specific.

The Peninsula Humane Society will withhold services from cities "not in substantial compliance with" the county's ordinance, but each town has the right to make minor modifications to reflect its specific needs.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 701 Laurel St. in the Menlo Park Civic Center.
Commissions tackle road safety

When it comes to making Menlo Park's roads safer, Mary Gilles, chair of the Transportation Commission, thinks the city needs to think both in and outside of the bike lanes.

On November 16, the Transportation and Bicycle Commissions held a joint meeting, in which the commissions discussed the efforts cyclists and drivers can make to ensure they city's streets are safer.

"I hope this meeting gets the ball rolling," said Ms. Gilles. "I don't want to see the process of making our roads safer get mired down in process."

Ms. Gilles hopes both commissions will ask the City Council to prioritize a road safety event for the city budget at its next priority-setting session.

She mentioned a bicycle ride through Menlo Park, and a get-together at a local park where cyclists and motorists can learn about and purchase safety equipment as potential events the city could support.

"Asking the council to prioritize something is a short-term solution," she said. "We still need to look at engineering issues, especially on the streets near our schools, for long-term solutions."

Ms. Gilles also noted, "This isn't just about our cyclists. There are a lot of things motorists can do and be aware of to make our roads safer."

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