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An Ordinance amending and supplementing the City of Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Six: Conduct, Article III: Dogs, Cats and Other Animals, Chapter 633: Dogs and Cats, Section 633.22: 633.22: Off-Leash Exercise Areas by incorporating clarifying language and removing outdated verbiage.
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The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title Six: Conduct, Article III: Dogs, Cats and Other Animals, Chapter 633: Dogs and Cats, Section 633.22: Off-Leash Exercise Areas of the City of Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:
§ 633.22 - OFF-LEASH EXERCISE AREAS.
A. PILOT PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT. An pilot off-leash program shall be established under the administration of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Animal Care and Control. The pilot off-leash program shall continue in effect for a period of three (3) years or, in the alternative, for a period ending sixty (60) days after the revocation of the program by a majority vote of City Council.
At the end of the three (3) year period the program shall be reviewed and the Council shall take action to either rescind this Chapter or take no action and allow the OLEA program to become a permanent part of the City Code.
B. OLEA SITES. DEFINITION. An Off-Leash Exercise Area, referred to as an OLEA, are areas which have been designated by the City of Pittsburgh where dogs may be allowed to run freely. These OLEA sites may or may not be fenced in.
C. OLEA SITES. Dogs may be allowed to run at large only in the following areas: hereby designated as Off-Leash Exercise Areas (OLEA):
1. OLEA within Upper Frick Park; and
2. OLEA within Lower Frick Park, referred to as Hot Dog Dam; and
3. OLEA within Allegheny Commons Park; and
4. West Park OLEA within Highland Park; and
5. OLEA within Riverview Park; and
6. OLEA located in Central Lawrenceville, referred to as Bernard Dog Run; and
7. OLEA within South Side Riverfront Park, referred to as South Side Dog Park; and
8. OLEA within Olympia Park, referred to as Emerald View Park; and
9. OLEA located in the Central Business District between Fort Duquesne Boulevard and the Rachel Carson Bridge; and
10. and in any such area to be designated by the Department of Parks and Recreation in the future.
C.D. CONDUCT IN AN OLEA.
1. Any person who takes a dog into an off-leash area OLEA must have physical control of the dog by means of an adequate leash when entering and leaving the off-leash area;
2. Any person who takes a dog into an OLEA Mmust maintain voice control over the dog at all times while in the off-leash area an OLEA.
3. All dogs in an off-leash area OLEA must be licensed and must display valid license tags attached to the dog collar.
4. Dangerous dogs, as defined in Section 633.20 of the Pittsburgh Code, are not permitted to use the off-leash areas an OLEA.
5. Any person with a dog in their possession or under their control in any OLEA shall be responsible and liable for the conduct of the animal, shall carry equipment for removing feces, and shall place feces deposited by such animal in an appropriate receptacle.
(d) E. ADMINISTRATION.
1. The Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized promulgate regulations governing conduct and behavior within any OLEA and place appropriate signage deemed necessary for the orderly operation of and OLEA.
2. The Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized to close to off-leash dog use any area described under subsection (b) (C) on a temporary or permanent basis if significant problems arise which cannot be resolved jointly by the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Animal Care and Control.
3. The Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized to close any OLEA described under subsection (b) on a temporary basis in order to perform maintenance at the site.
4. The Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized to close any OLEA if a determination is made that such closure is necessary for the preservation and protection of the natural environment, public health or safety.
5. Prior to closing any off-leash area OLEA, the Director shall consult with the Bureau of Animal Care and Control. The Director of Parks and Recreation shall state in writing the reasons for closure to the Mayor and City Council.
6. The Director shall review the impacts of off-leash activities at OLEA sites after three (3) months of operations at each site. If, based on this review, the Director finds significant problems that cannot be practically corrected, the Director may close the site to off-leash use.
7. Prior to any permanent closure, the Director shall give thirty (30) days' written notice, to be posted at the site, stating the reason(s) for the closure.
8. The Director is authorized to manage all OLEA sites and this authority shall include, but not be limited to, the authority to make minor alterations to site boundaries after reasonable notice to the public, impose operating hours and curtail use at sites as necessary for renovation, repair or for other operational reasons.