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Muhlenberg commissioners reject Riverfest pet ban after heated debate on safety and enforcement
Summary
After debate over crowding, past dog‑bite incidents and enforceability, the Muhlenberg Township Board voted down a resolution to ban non‑service animals from the Riverfest event area; commissioners said they will refine language and publicity if reconsidered.
Muhlenberg Township commissioners debated and ultimately rejected a resolution restricting non‑service animals from the Riverfest event area at the June 17 meeting, citing competing views about public safety, fairness and enforceability.
The motion sought to prohibit pets from key festival locations around the Farmhouse, main stage and the river walkway during Riverfest, where officials said crowds can reach up to 5,000 at peak times and 20,000 over the event. Supporters of the restriction pointed to a past dog bite and concerns that dogs can become disoriented or aggressive in tightly packed pedestrian areas. "When you have as many as 5,000 people at a time ... the animals are introduced into an area that they’re not familiar with and they can become agitated and may become aggressive," the motion sponsor said.
Opponents, including several commissioners and members of the public, argued that other events have not had widespread problems and questioned how the rule would be enforced. Commissioners also raised ADA and service‑animal issues and said the resolution, as written, might be overly broad. "Rather than a blanket ban at all events, I specifically looked at the number of attendees at this particular event," one commissioner said, urging a geographically‑limited restriction rather than an outright ban for all festivals.
After discussion the board held a roll‑call vote. The transcript records Commissioner Minger and Commissioner Lurch voting yes and other commissioners voting no; as recorded in the meeting the motion failed and was not adopted. Commissioners said they would revisit the language and publicity requirements, and staff noted they could post changes on the township website and use interviews and social media to inform the public if the board acts in the future.
The debate also touched on enforcement logistics — who would patrol the event footprint — and whether a narrower time window or limited walkway restrictions could address the risk without a full ban.
The board then moved to other agenda items.
