Trustees and police urge responsible ownership as dog park nears completion; township outlines enforcement under state statute

Township officials and the police chief used the March meeting to brief residents on progress at the new dog park and to remind dog owners of their legal responsibilities after recent reports of loose and aggressive animals in the region.

Dog park status and timeline: Parks staff said the primary fence is installed, underground water hookups from the barns to the fields are complete, and the township will install water fountains, concrete pads and a walking path in stages. Parks staff estimated most work will be completed in a few months, with major elements in place by mid-spring. The park will include separate areas for larger and smaller dogs, benches and agility equipment.

Cameras and enforcement: Parks staff said cameras were installed at Floral Paradise Gardens last year but currently require manual retrieval because park Wi‑Fi bandwidth limits real‑time access. Staff said entrance/exit camera readers had been cost-prohibitive earlier but the parks and police can piece together footage from multiple cameras to investigate incidents. Police Chief Braun said the department has used camera footage and juvenile-court appearances to pursue vandalism cases.

Legal standards and penalties: Police Chief Braun reviewed state law as the basis for enforcement, calling it the “fair to confined statute” as read at the meeting, and summarized classifications used in enforcement: nuisance, dangerous and vicious dogs. He said a dog may be labeled dangerous after three confirmed instances of running off, if it kills or seriously injures a person or animal, or if it otherwise satisfies the statutory standard. Braun warned owners that consequences can include citation, arrest and civil liability; he said a vicious dog “shall” be destroyed under court order. Chief Braun cited a recent local incident in which an elderly resident’s small dog received more than $4,000 in veterinary care after an attack.

Rules and public guidance: Trustees and staff said the dog park will have clear signage at the main entrance and at the two separate fenced areas; they emphasized owners must follow posted park rules, pick up after their dogs and control animals to avoid injuries. One trustee said the township will ensure rules are sufficient and asked parks staff and the chief to coordinate enforcement.

Why it matters: The dog park is a widely requested amenity that, if misused, could create public-safety incidents and civil liabilities. Township officials emphasized voluntary compliance but warned they will cite and pursue cases when necessary.

Ending: Township staff asked for patience during phased construction and said volunteers and staff will continue to prepare the site for public use.