Committee approves amendment to allow leashed cats and dogs at special events

The New London Parks & Recreation Committee voted to approve an amendment to section 9.41, "Animals at Special Events," to allow cats and dogs to attend special events while remaining under owner control and on leash.

The change matters because it replaces an unworkable prohibition with a leash‑based standard the police department said it can reasonably enforce at events when incidents are reported.

Ginger introduced the proposal and said staff had met with the city attorney and police chief to refine language. Chief Schlitter told the committee the current ordinance “sounds great on paper” but is not followed in practice; making the rule explicitly allow leashed animals, he said, would give officers “the out” to enforce control when problems arise. Attorney Steckbauer reviewed the legal language with staff and had no objections, Ginger said.

Some committee members and residents raised enforcement concerns. One resident asked how the city would enforce the change if existing rules had not been followed; Chief Schlitter acknowledged staffing limits at large events, saying the department is not present at every tournament or parade but that a single complaint typically prompts a response. Another commenter said signs and past practice had not produced compliance at youth softball games and parks; committee members noted that organizers and tournament coordinators are expected to include park rules in their materials each spring.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the amendment to section 9.41 carried. The committee recorded no roll‑call tally in the transcript; members voted by voice and the chair declared the motion approved.