Prineville planning to expand leash requirements

Citizen complaints about off-leash dogs are prompting the city of Prineville to make changes in two popular recreation areas.

The Crooked River Wetlands Complex and Barnes Butte property are popular with dog owners. But a string of complaints about off-leash dogs has the city taking action.

Right now, city code says dogs must be on leashes in listed public parks, but these two properties do not technically fall into that category.

At the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, the council is expected to approve a change in the code to include property controlled or owned by the city, which would include both places.

“What we had originally hoped for is people would just manage their dogs on leash if need be, or on verbal control. But what we’ve had is several situations where people can’t control their dogs and they run up on others and scare them,” Eric Klann, the city engineer and public works director, said earlier Tuesday.

Klann said he has received between 15 and 20 complaints pertaining to dogs at either the Crooked River Wetlands Complex or Barnes Butte in the last few months.

“Not every dog is friendly,” City Councilor Gail Merritt said. “Every owner thinks their dog is friendly, but that doesn’t always happen. And it’s not always the person who has their dog off the leash that’s a problem, but it’s the person that’s waking with a dog on a leash that might not be friendly.”

Once the change is made, it will go into effect in two weeks. At that time, the city will be able to post signs alerting the public to the new rules and will be able to take action against people who don’t comply.

“Hopefully, this isn’t an issue but, worst-case scenario, if people’s dogs are causing problems, then the police could enforce on it,” Klann said. He said people in violation face a potential citation.