LAKE COUNTY – An ordinance set to have its second reading by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday could help make Lake County a more dog-friendly place.

The ordinance, approved initially by the board on Dec. 16, would allow dogs to be off leash in certain designated areas of specific county parks as long as the animals are under their owners' control and the owner has a leash for each dog.

If passed, the ordinance would allow dogs to be off the leash in the following signed areas:

– On the east end of the parking lot at Lucerne Harbor Park near the playground area on the beach;

– The signed and fenced area near Lakeshore Drive at Hammond Avenue Park;

– On the beach south of the boat ramp at Keeling Park in Nice;

– On the beach west of the breakwater at the Clearlake Oaks boat launch facility;

– At the west end of the swim area at Lakeside Park in Kelseyville;

– On interior park roads in Middletown County Park Trailside Nature Preserve.

Dogs would still not be allowed at any time on playgrounds, ballfields, grassy areas or beachfronts other than those designated in the new rules.

County Public Services Director Kim Clymire, whose department also oversees Parks and Recreation, told the board last month that the biggest problem in having dogs loose in parks has been cleaning up after them. However, Public Services is prepared to provide doggie bags to address that particular problem.

Horses also are to be added to the ordinance to allow them to be ridden or led in Middletown County Park Trailside Nature Preserve, Clymire noted.

“We have been accused of being a dog-unfriendly county,” said Clymire, because dogs haven't been allowed more opportunities at local parks. But he added that it's not true that the county isn't welcoming to canines.

Supervisor Jeff Smith said a travel book had accused the county of being unfriendly to canines, and because many people travel with their dogs he's glad to see this change.

Referring to the addition of horses to the ordinance, Smith joked, “Will you provide horsey bags, too, or just doggie bags?”

The board unanimously approved the ordinance, which will be heard again on Tuesday. The item is untimed.

In October, the city of Lakeport completed a dog park area at Westside Community Park.

In April of 2007, the Lakeport City Council unanimously passed an ordinance allowing dogs on a leash in the city's parks. Previously dogs had been banned.

Clear Lake State Park on Soda Bay Road reportedly allows dogs on leash in the campgrounds and at non-designated swimming beaches, but not on regular swimming beaches or trails, and they must be cleaned up after, according to the guidelines.

The Sunset Nature Trail Loop in the Mendocino National Forest in Upper Lake also is reported to allow pets on leash as long as owners clean up after them.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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