Dogs Must Be Leashed in Media Borough

Dog owners in Media Borough will now be ticketed if their animal is not on a leash when out in public.

The amended an ordinance at its meeting Thursday stating that dog owners are required to keep dogs secured by a leash and under control while on streets and sidewalks.

Dogs can often be seen walking with their owners in downtown Media without a leash. They often seem to be well trained and stay along side their owners but any animal can be unpredictable.

The amended ordinance now states that a leash is required at all times.

"While on sidewalks and streets, whether public or private, and public property, it shall be illegal for any owner or custodian of any dog to fail to keep such a dog at all times secure by means of a leash….and under personal control of the owner or custodian, who must hold the leash and be able to control the animal fully at all times," the ordinance states.

Dog owners in violation of this ordinance can now be ticketed by police.

Councilwoman Dawn Roe clarified that a "private" street or sidewalk is in regards to a borough alley that may be privately owned or sidewalk or parking lot owned by a business. It does not mean a resident’s front lawn or property.

Paul Indorf, of W. Fourth Street and a dog owner, had expressed his concerns about the ordinance amendment at a previous council meeting and said he submitted a letter to council stating his concerns.

He said he is more concerned about owners not picking up their dog’s waste and also having dogs at street festivals.

Council agreed both dog waste and dogs at street festivals are also a problem in the borough and they are trying to educate the public on both counts.

Dogs are not permitted at any borough street festival and signs are usually posted on the barriers used to close the streets. However, some dog owners may not be aware or see the signs if they don’t enter the festival at a cross street where the barriers are located.

Councilwoman Monika Rehoric said at the most recent Media Food Festival there was a visible police presence and if dogs were seen the police told the owners about the no dog policy.

Rehoric said most of the dog owners were not aware that that was the policy. So council said it will do a better job educating the public on its policy.