OFF LEASH DOG PARKS Whereas no off leash dog park exists within the city of Rockland, and; Whereas the expanding population of the city of Rockland includes many new families who are pet owners, and; Whereas off leash parks decrease the risk to the population at large of negative dog-human incidents/interactions, and; Whereas many cities, including Ottawa, recognize the value added that such parks as Conroy Pit and Bruce Pit bring to a municipality; Be it resolved that the City of Rockland allocate, sooner than later, a piece of property within city limits to be used as an off-leash dog park by responsible dog owners, and; Be it further resolved that City Council investigate the feasibity of redesignating the park now situated on Docteur Corbeil Blvd as an off-leash dog park. DOG REGISTRATION FEES Whereas the city of Rockland has imposed a mandatory dog registration fee on all dog owners within Rockland, and; Whereas such a fee poses an undue burden on an already very heavily taxed dog owner population, and; Whereas many responsible owners have pets who are micro-chipped and can be traced with a minimum of effort, and; Whereas the vast majority of all dogs have appropriate owner identification tags of some sort, and; Whereas the City of Rockland currently provides no value added for the imposition of such fees: Be it resolved that the City of Rockland defer the collection of dog registration fees until such time as an off leash park is available as a service for such fees. CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE Whereas the population of Rockland is increasing rapidly, and; Whereas much of the population of Rockland consists of dog/pet owners, and; Whereas it is projected that there will be a significant rise in the number of issues that relate to dog/pet ownership, such as off leash areas, recovery fees for lost pets, abuse of pets, and other tangential issues: Be it resolved that the City of Rockland consider the establishment of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee to act as a liaison between the city and dog (pet) owners. Such a committee would consider and recommend to City Council appropriate big picture policy issues. ------------------------------------------------ We the undersigned, petition the City Council of Rockland to consider the establishment of an off leash dog park within the city of Rockland, the abolishment of dog registration fees in lieu of a recovery fee, and the establishment of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee reporting to City Council.