Dogs Draw Record Council Turnout

Clad in neon-green stickers reading “My Dog Loves Fresh Pond,” some 50 men and women gathered before the Cambridge City Council last night, protesting a proposed measure that would restrict the number and movement of dogs in the Fresh Pond area.

According to Vice Mayor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., it was the first time in years a council meeting had seen such high attendance.

Dozens of local residents spoke out against the Fresh Pond Reservation Dog Medallion Program, an initiative slated to begin May 1 under the auspices of the Cambridge Water Department (CWD).

Under the program—which the CWD Web site says would “limit the impact of dog recreation on water quality”—Cambridge citizens looking to unleash their dogs at the Fresh Pond Reservation would have to obtain a special canine medallion.

In the process, owners would have to agree to the park’s rules of canine conduct in writing. Should they accrue two demerits for violating those rules, they would have their medallion revoked for the remainder of the year.

Medallions would only be offered to Cambridge residents.

Though six city councillors met with Water Department officials on February 13 to discuss and endorse the program, the full transcript of the report only reached the council’s agenda this week. Although the council has yet to formally approve the program, CWD has already begun accepting medallion applications on its Web site.

Councilor Marjorie C. Decker said she believed it was inappropriate for CWD to be taking steps toward implementing the program prior to its approval. “There should not be signs up saying that this is a policy that is already taking place. That kind of action does fuel cynicism about the city government,” she said last night.

The initiative met with severe opposition from the public during last night’s meeting.

“Our dog Keel died last summer; we took him almost daily to Fresh Pond,” said Cambridge resident Skip Schloming. “We decided not to get another dog after he died. The deciding factor was the restriction of dogs.”

Speakers also alleged that the medallion program unjustly furthered the biases of its creators.

“It’s unfortunate that the Fresh Pond advisory board is numbered by people who dislike dogs,” said area resident Monica Strauss.

The audience greeted criticisms of the program with cheering and clapping.

Following the public comment section of the meeting, Councilor Michael A. Sullivan lamented the program’s poor reception.

“Frankly everyone who met on [the Medallion Program was] well intentioned,” said Sullivan. “I’m a bit discouraged this evening. It wasn’t long ago that we sat in this very chamber to celebrate the master plan.”

The council postponed further discussion of the plan for a future date.