Downtown Santa Cruz weighs lifting its dog ban

Faced with a growing problem of stray dogs, the city of Santa Cruz to the north of us enacted a ban of all dogs from its picturesque downtown district.

Now, a new generation of merchants is hoping to lift the 34-year-old ban, according to a story posted by the Mercury News this week. From the story:

On Tuesday (March 9), the Downtown Association, which represents business owners in the central business district, will discuss recommending the council overturn the ordinance while strengthening leash laws and other safeguards.

A majority of merchants polled recently by the association believe they are missing out on business from tourists and locals who would bring their dogs downtown for a stroll or dining at outside tables, much as they do in well-known dog-friendly towns like Carmel and Los Gatos.

...  If the Downtown Association recommends overturning the ban and the council agrees to study it, public hearings would take place before any change is made. The new ordinance likely would have a test period and require dogs to be licensed, vaccinated and on a leash at all times. Owners will be required to pick up waste.