Mayor’s Report: April 10, 2012

Written by Garden City Mayer Donald T. Brudie Friday, 13 April 2012 00:00

Proper Disposal of Dog Waste — Barking Dogs — Licensing of Dogs

Our local law requires dog owners to leash their pets and to clean up after them when they have relieved themselves upon any areas used in common by the public. These areas include median strips, curbs, gutters, park areas, streets, etc. By way of clarification, the village’s local law is very specific as to the prohibition. “No person who owns … any dog shall … permit or allow such dog to urinate, defecate or commit any other nuisance upon any public street, thoroughfare, sidewalk, gutter … or park … [or] any place where people congregate, or upon any private property without permission of the owner thereof. The term “sidewalk” as used herein shall mean the area between the curb, or traveled portion of the street if there be no curb and the property line of the abutting property owner.”

Regulations require that dog waste be placed with the rubbish for curbside collection on Wednesdays and be containerized or placed in a plastic bag, which is properly secured. It must NOT be placed in storm drains for obvious health reasons.

Please be considerate of those village employees who are working to keep our community beautiful by cleaning up after your dog and by properly disposing of the waste. In consideration of your neighbors and the health and quality of life within our village, I ask that all cooperate with this law so that it will not be necessary to have the police department issue appearance tickets to violators.

We all know barking dogs can be a helpful security device and vandalism deterrent. But recently several residents have mentioned that neighbors are leaving barking dogs outside for extended periods of time and it is having an impact on their quality of quiet enjoyment in their homes.  I ask that as a courtesy to all, please monitor dogs that are left outside for extended periods of time and be aware how this may be affecting your neighbors and friends.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all residents that all dogs in New York State are required to be properly licensed and all rabies certifications must be updated. For more information consult the village website for the new regulations to license your dog in Garden City.

Board of Trustees Meeting

The next meetings of the board of trustees will be on Thursday, April 19; and Thursday, May 3, at 8 p.m. I encourage all residents to attend board of trustees meetings so as to be thoroughly informed of village issues from a first-hand perspective.