MAHONING COUNTY FOREST Council decides on compromise to Poland leash law

A councilman said he'd 'put human rights over dog rights.'
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Village council has reached a consensus in support of a compromise leash law for dogs in the 250-acre Poland Municipal Forest.
The ordinance that would enact that compromise was not prepared in time for Tuesday evening's meeting, but Joe Mazur, council president pro tem, said it is to come before council at 7:30 p.m. April 20.
The compromise is that dogs would be allowed to run free west of Butler Trail, but must be leashed east of that trail. James R. Swager, chairman-elect of the forest board, said he was "very pleased" with the compromise.
This would give unleashed dogs access to the section of the forest between Butler Trail and Interstate 680, but require that they be leashed in the more heavily used eastern areas of the forest, including the popular Blue Bell Trail, where many visitors come to see the bluebells in bloom every spring.
Why it's necessary
A leash law is necessary to protect the interests of forest users, such as high school cross country team members, who have had uncomfortable encounters with unleashed dogs, Mazur said.
"I think it's a good compromise because we allow the people that want to run their dogs an area, and we allow an area where people can walk without being afraid," he said.
The current regulation, printed on the forest map and brochure simply says dogs that are "unfriendly with people or other dogs must be leashed at all times." The language pertaining to unfriendly dogs would be preserved in the new ordinance and would apply to the entire forest.
If the leash law is presented as a safety issue, council would likely have no problem in justifying bypassing the three reading process and passing the ordinance immediately as an emergency measure, Linda M. Srnec, village clerk-treasurer, told council members.
Councilmen's comments
"I'm a dog lover and I love taking my dog to the woods and letting it run, but dogs don't pay the taxes. There are people that are afraid of dogs, regardless if they're the best-behaved dogs in the world. Personally, I would love to let my dog run free through the whole woods. I think this is an acceptable compromise," said Councilman Marc Cossette. "I think this is the best for everybody."
He added that unleashed dogs aren't permitted in Mill Creek Park.
"I agree with the compromise. I think I'm going to put human rights above dog rights. I love dogs just like Marc. I walk through the woods. Dogs approach me. Sometimes, it's an annoyance. Sometimes I enjoy it," said Councilman William Dunnavant.
"They have at least one-third to maybe 40 percent of the park," Councilman Robert Limmer said of the less-used portion of the park where dogs could be unleashed under the proposed new ordinance. "You have to kind of make compromises. People have dogs. They want to run them. This would allow them to run them. People who want to walk on Blue Bell Trail without having dogs bother them -- this would satisfy that," he added.
Limmer suggested that the new rule take effect when signs concerning it are posted in the forest.