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Piedmont discusses stepped fines for off'leash dogs; council keeps 24'month window
Summary
Council considered a progressive penalty schedule for off'leash dog citations that would set fines at $100, $200 and $500 for subsequent violations within 24 months. Police staff emphasized education and officer discretion; council asked about reset timing and enforcement processes.
Council members pressed staff for details before voting on a proposed progressive fine schedule for off'leash dog violations.
Police and enforcement staff described the model staff placed in the draft schedule: a first offense fine of $100, a second offense within 24 months of $200 and a third offense within 24 months of the first offense of $500; fines above $500 would not escalate further. Police staff stressed that the goal is compliance through communication and education rather than punitive escalation and noted there is an appeals process and officer discretion in enforcement.
When one council member asked, "So what if you have the 2nd bite within ... I'm sorry to be pedantic about this," staff clarified the 24'month window is measured from prior infractions and is intended to make administrability simpler. Another council member asked whether the clock might be reset after 12 months; staff replied that 24 months was selected to encourage behavior change while allowing for education and outreach.
The council did not appear to amend the proposed 24'month structure during the meeting; council members and staff emphasized communication, appeals and the option to send unpaid administrative fines to collections per existing processes.
