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Dog Urine in Public Places Part I r 5,-c,.... &v *bC-,..2,-.;i ' VRP RAID ti 1ti R o f � '2;14.g& , '''-'',.,...„,. .-'p ' i f ie °. 'N ild.bi ,s a a "t."90,119'.10 F 1 Y 1' A v.'; P F j• � n w r.i_ 1 ri d . n [& Mi hT'�L `'a ,�Yp 1 L W W� - n U azt 1 Ypry°A18n � A� s J �� y. i10(.0 4 f Sp FVr a 9 a , aXk .: +t a w�o r v @� Yx �0'a 5°2 ' ° w u. r� ta �Fc n gk, 4,-,,(Iii".. .,i Y l '- lk. ; e ey AR , • t :a a5e9 d s. a .K J 4 M r t12e]jMa1n r a � + 0 agra � x C ,w �i m '>° a J� n ° 2 }S* � r ( a OT r '} ' n 4 la a a i nE° : r qy 3 F l rm .Y �uiIiujNliti�)z r r 4 l }rG °d 41ara l� 4t14 ' ' ''' Page I of I Ernie Mathieu From: Colleen Currie [currie @crocker.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 5:19 PM To: Ernie Mathieu Subject: Re:August 16 meeting I read the Gazette article. Thank you. And thank you and the other Board members for serving and doing the important work of public health. Original Message From: Ernie Mathieu To: Colleen Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 3:03 PM Subject: RE: August 16 meeting Dear Ms. Currie, The information printed on the card by Mr. Scheinman is totally inaccurate.The Board is not proposing any rules of regulations for dogs or animals, nor a fire. The Board Meeting has been cancelled and the topic has been dropped. Sincerely, Ernie Mathieu, Director From: Colleen [mailto:currie @crocker.com] Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 12:26 PM To: BOH Subject: August 16 meeting I have been advised that at the August 16 meeting the Board is scheduled to decide if dog urine in public places is a public health nuisance, with a potential penalty of up to a$1000 fine. If this is accurate information, I would appreciate knowing if there is a proposal for a city ordinance or some other writing that I may receive via e-mail or fax in advance of the meeting in order to prepare to attend or to write to the Board. Thank you Colleen C. Currie currie @crocker.com fax: (413)584-6605 8/16/2007 BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ROSEMARIE KARPARIS,R.N.,MPH XANTHI SCRIMGEOUR,MHEd,CHES JAY FLEITMAN,M.D. STAFF Ernest J.Mathieu,R.S.,M.S.,C.H.O. Director of Public Health Richard Meczywor,R.S.,Sanitary Inspector Patricia Abbott,R.N.,Public Health Nurse October 29, 2007 Alan Scheinman, Esquire 7 Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 01060 OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH CITY OF NORTHAMPTON MASSACHUSETTS 01060 212 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON,MA 0106( (413)587-1214 FAX(413)587-1221 RE: DOG URINATING ON THE PUBLIC SIDEWALK AND CURBING, IN FRONT OF 7 PLEASANT STREET Dear Attorney Scheinman: At a regular Board of Health monthly meeting held in September, the Board of Health members continued their discussion regarding the situation of your dog urinating on the side walk in front of 9 Pleasant Street. Board member Ms. Xanthi Scrimgeour abstained from participating in any of the decisions made regarding this issue. The Board Members,Ms. Karparis and Dr. Fleitman have agreed that if you continue to apply the neutralizing urine solution on the dog urine in all events that your dog urinates on the sidewalk area, then the Board will find that this issue does not rise to the level of a public health nuisance. It was also agreed that if you act in good faith to continue to exercise these efforts, that no further action on this matter is required by this Board at this time. We have also been informed that no further complaints related to your dog's urinating on the sidewalk since complaint that led to your request to attend our meeting in June of 2007. We have also received information that the situation has been much less frequent since our discussions with you on this matter at our meeting. The Board and I would like to take the time to thank you for the efforts you have made in curbing this situation as well as your cooperation since meeting with you. Sincerely, Ernest J. Mathieu, R.S.,M.S., C.H.O. Director of Public Health EMAIL• emathieu@northamptonma.gov cc: Board of Health Members (3) i I Ye p I 1 it/ has 4-,) Q 20 J o *w 7v2i4140°V0N wis"ahFJ vYa,^')9�J o _An,C - c C1 No wsMn � py s �,_ zl "O1 u� 4-7-1117/Y/ -7 11 _ i1 co ) '-"^v s 1 n v z�w zv -0 _ 017 -ac r�M � � (w" ( 4 '7fi) w --)1I9 C%' °P -t '^' D° '11 -17 r"-"F'S nod 1� n d t. , av41 Cyr (n Nra--("'m\-\ on : A nits 4s)i) y/ ° w _'zfm"� 7 t o 1) ThAlf do — 1) 1d e.r)5 n w,A e � 12 V lau •,,,h,� ) ) x'"''23 Yhw 1 A/al-5 — raYte) - � urns OP CI ,n„ viY9 `11 5 • '_ I) mew y)� t i �aun��S�J pane c42 ' -c o� w ++'44'9`0 � isvI San-? •-•- 4 -V;2chw . 5�✓'� -1.-),TT 1--)w nron c�. r 'rvvn In — (0 l io v�1 ? In 3 2-1WvLi)n irlfv — 1 ' hI u1 )-vrw-2 d"Y) itrn n.0 7/I y ■4 ' P 1g-A 7v11f0 {°—`vo n-a .002 '21 '- Z 7)OIO , - a a ;, d n ,,, .r , w "-'Y -dn r 4 zne'y- - -' , , / oor nwvruccr-'' / --0- -ter» ityt-trwDap 40 - n - 2, 8/13/07 To Whom It May Concern: I feel that taking your pets in public places is a right and a privilege that should remain allowed. Although some people may view this as a nuisance, domesticated dogs are still animals, and it's their natural routine to urinate outside. Having animals in public places helps bring a community together and also promotes the humanity of the animals themselves. Please don't create a ban on the public urination of dogs. Sincerely, Katie Koti 14 Summer St Northampton MA August 13, 2007 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to you regarding the proposed legislation on the board of health's law on dog's urine stating it's a public nuisance. As a dog owner I highly disagree with this. I think it is going a little over board. Where are dogs going to urinate? Are we going to have to carry around with us, dog training pads? This is ridiculous. Rebecca J. doff The news that there is a serious proposal to make it illegal for a dog to urinate outside its owner's property in Northampton came as quite a shock to me. I assume that it will not take a public hearing to reveal that this would be tantamount to outlawing the walking of a dog in the city and making it impossible for people living in most apartments and condominium to own a dog. Such a proposal also raises a number of questions that the Board of Health should answer before placing a burden on citizens to face this issue. What are the specific health risks posed by dog urine and what is their magnitude? How many citizens of the city have become ill as a consequence of exposure to dog urine? Are other health risks being addressed as vigorously? What about the disgusting liquid that pours from the garbage trucks that drive all over the city? Is the law that prohibits vehicles from idling more than five minutes being enforced9 Are speed limits and other traffic laws that protect drivers and pedestrians from injury and death being enforced? When will homeowners stop receiving reports that their drinking water contains unhealthful chemicals? If such a law were to be passed and enforced rigorously,the population of dogs in the city would surely decline by a large percentage. Many businesses would be adversely affected,those that sell dog food and other dog products,veterinarians' offices and boarding kennels in particular. And the quality of life would be degraded for many dog owners and even other citizens who enjoy seeing and meeting dogs in parks,nursing homes, and elsewhere. On the brighter side, civic matters must be in pretty good shape in Northampton for city officials to have time for such a proposal . eHGi2.0LAMe-- >.o Geova 4Nevos tit 272/W7 ✓?�J� ) L, 00 o ) iSQct s y`- -oN 31 V SINS S I sc\oZ1n (-7�(' ;f P > 1vg. vz] vas, �✓ LQ z 1 ,/ To whom it may concern; You must be kidding me. How on earth can we stop a dog from relieving his or herself? I totally agree with picking up poop but this urine thing is crazy. I don't know of anyone who has gotten sick because a dog urinated on the ground. Can we no longer walk our dogs? Every time we step off of our own property we are in a public place. I think that the Board of Health should concentrate on things that are really a health hazard and leave our dogs alone. Sincerely, Barbara Southwick Armand P. LaFleur 96 Lake Street Florence, MA 01062 August 11, 2007 Northampton Board of Health 212 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 To whom it may concern: I have just learned that the Board of Health is considering whether to make dog urine in public places a public health nuisance (up to a $1,000.00 fine). I have lived in Northampton my entire life, and have enjoyed walking my dog in my neighborhood and in Look Park every day in the Spring, Summer, and Fall months. T imagine that all of the places where I walk my dog are considered public places, and will be quite upset if this regulation passes. It's not possible to keep a dog from stopping occasionally to urinate outside. "Therefore, this regulation would prohibit me from walking my dog in Northampton. Please do not enact this regulation. Sincerely, Armand P. LaFleur James A. Benoit 111 Lake Street Florence, MA 01062 August11, 2007 Northampton Board of Health 212 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 To whom it may concern: I understand that the Board of Health wants to make dog urine in public places a public health nuisance punishable by fines of up to$1,000.00. This policy would essentially restrict dog owners from all public places, since one cannot prevent a dog from urinating when outside. I assume that my street,where I frequently walk my dog, is considered a public place. It seems unfair that, if this ordinance is passed, I would not be allowed to walk my dog on my own street. Where would I be allowed to walk my dog? People who get their dogs all of the required shots and license their dogs with the city should be allowed to walk them in public places without fear of unreasonable fines. As a Northampton resident my entire life, and as a responsible dog owner, I request that you do not create this ordinance. Sincerely, James A. Benoit Tina M. Benoit 48 Evergreen Road, 114 Leeds, MA 01053 August 11, 2007 Northampton Board of Health 212 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 To whom it may concern: I gratefully received a notice today that your office is considering deeming dog urine in public places a public health nuisance punishable by fines of up to $1,000.00. As a life- long Northampton resident, and a responsible dog owner, I request that you consider my concerns about instituting such an ordinance in our city. Clearly, dog owners have no control over when or where our dogs find the need to urinate. Therefore, should you vote to enact this ordinance, dog owners,who make up a considerable and growing number of tax-paying consumers in our city, would be restricted from all public places. One of the wonderful things about Northampton has always been the many beautiful areas where people can walk, for example, in Look Park, Childs Park, the bike path, or along any of our beautiful city streets... and presumably these are all public places. If such a restrictive ordinance is passed, where would dog owners be allowed to walk? Also, I honestly fail to understand the need for such an ordinance at this point in our city's history. Growing up in Northampton, I remember stray dogs visiting our neighborhood on a regular basis. However, these days, I can't remember the last time I saw a stray. It seems dog owners are more responsible now than ever. So, how is it that dog urine in public places has become a pressing problem at this time? I appreciate your office's efforts to reduce the many serious public health threats that our community faces today. Frankly, the issue of dog urine is not as important to our community as preparing for the possibility of a bird flu epidemic, acts of terrorism, and natural disasters,or inspections of summer camps, septic system installations,restaurants, and swimming areas or investigating possible outbreaks of disease. Please don't let the issue of where my dog urinates take any of your time from these important issues. With sincere appreciation, , Tina M. Benoit August 13, 2007 Northampton Board of Health, This letter is in reference to the scheduled Board of Health's meeting at City Hall on August 16, 2007. Before you prohibit owners from walking their dogs in public places because dog urine might present a health nuisance, consider the nuisance cats present and the Board of Health's lack of restrictions placed on cat owners. Cats roam free. They are allowed to trespass on private property and to roam at will on public property. They defecate wherever they choose with no ordinance placed on owners to clean up after them. How healthy is it for a small child to play in her sandbox or a gardener to pull weeds only to come up with a handful of cat feces? Now, that is a definite health concern to which the Board of Health pays no attention. Cats spray their urine wherever and whenever they choose. Why does not the Board of Health concern itself with the cat urine that frequently is sprayed on schools, stores, churches, and private property? The smell alone warrants concern, whether or not the urine carries with it a health hazard. Further, a cat bite contains more bacteria than a dog bite yet cats are allowed to wander at will down Main Street. We dog owners pay for licenses and pay more for our unneutered dogs and multiple dogs in one household(kennel licensing). We are required to have our dogs on leashes and to clean up after them. Dogs are restricted from many areas including playing fields, cemeteries, and certain parks. Yet, cats roam free depositing their urine and feces at will. Their owners do not pay for licensing, let alone higher licensing costs for unneutered cats. Cat owners can have as many cats as they wish in one household and are not required to clean up after them. With the cat issue looming large, I do not understand why the Board of Health is seeking to restrict even more areas where leashed dogs may walk. There are enough limits placed on dogs! It's time the town concerns itself with a real health hazard and nuisance...cats. Sing rely, `tea Dara Johnson 83 Front Street PO Box 293 Leeds, MA 01053 ifirifir ',97 ,may r y17�/' or,6•Gg py 7K rice/2 -.ix- - ?f2 �r-F/- J� ' .7 arty,. nom(. y-7w,v p ree 6.," S ' ,may,n7 efreletek O .,, wsltrg/ ""(7'r J rC��/ v�li y� C''V' T i __DO OK r -"'yam —^1i778 '_-Y-- c r / Q yv/n • 6,4,, �r Qtdl�(Lea-6x y 1,267y _ie ("z, eFeec/A-6, two'Syyy� <»,/k d•oyS/ L a /E s.--rl rag' Barbara Ahearn 139 Water Street Leeds,MA 01053 413-584-9517 Northampton Board of Health 212 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 To Whom It May Concern: I am sending you my opinion on the topic of dog urine in public places that you are about to consider. I searched the internet looking for evidence that dog urine is a public health nuisance and I could find no evidence that it is. I am open to reading any document that offers proof that it is a public health nuisance, but at this time my opinion is that it is not a public health nuisance. Sincere Ail arbara Ahearn /t4X 5` JI1/7/r/o ,4,,c4 cafcae c 41-f or% 0/4 WE ter-/' Zee 7 ACE Oa/ "fru y /arift74,: 6)o j a21/40`�f // roil // 4,p 4cC eery J fiv,L Y-74,. C /1n att 133 South Main St. Florence, MA 01062 August 16, 2007 RE: Dog Urine Ordnance I am writing to express our opinions of, and vociferous opposition to,the proposed"dog urine" ordnance. It is unfortunate that a few self-important and obsessive individuals can utilize the time and resources of a public entity to advance their pathetic crusade. It is far more regrettable that this public agency,with so many other pressing and important issues to consider,has provided a clique of busybodies with a forum. To my knowledge,there has never been a public health crisis associated with dog urine,even in such densely populated areas as New York City. On the other hand,there is absolutely no question of the severe impacts of cat feces,and their contribution to birth defects in human children: A full seventeen years ago, before the birth of my child,her mother was expressly advised by her doctor against gardening or other yardwork, due to the danger of birth defects caused by cat feces. Thus,the Board of Health has been remiss, if not actually derelict, in failing to pass an ordnance prohibiting felines from defecating outside within city limits long before considering such a capricious, infeasible and ill-conceived proposal as is before you tonight: The perpetrators of this manifest failure seem incapable of properly exercising the duties and responsibility they now hold and should not attempt to expand them further. teap Again,we would suggest Thomas M. F. Gerald at reason be applied to quelling this"tempest-in-a- e Erin E. FitzGerald