New Take on Existing Rule Bans Dogs Outright from Town Hall

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A new interpretation of an existing local ordinance is raising hackles among some residents long accustomed to entering Town Hall with their canine pets in tow.

This 18-month-old Cockapoo was tied up outside Town Hall while his owner went to retrieve license. June is dog licensing month—those who do not renew or license their dogs by June 30 face a fine. Credit: Michael Dinan

This 18-month-old Cockapoo was tied up outside Town Hall while his owner went to retrieve license. June is dog licensing month—those who do not renew or license their dogs by June 30 face a fine. Credit: Michael Dinan

In years past, during this the licensing season for dogs, the animals were allowed to enter the Town Clerk’s office with their owners when renewing a license or getting a new one.

But with the reopening of Town Hall following a major renovation and addition, New Canaan is enforcing more strictly a rule that’s been on the books for 12 years—a disappointment to Town Clerk Claudia Weber.

“It has been a time-honored tradition to come to the Town Clerk’s office every year with your dogs to get your dog license, and we give out biscuits,” Weber said. “When I first became Town Clerk [in 1998], I started something called the ‘Make Your Beagle Legal,’ and people would come in and I try to make that a mandated event, something that was fun and it gave government kind of a warm and friendly face.”

Several signs are posted to instruct visitors to Town Hall that dogs are not allowed inside the newly reopened building. Credit: Michael Dinan

Several signs are posted to instruct visitors to Town Hall that dogs are not allowed inside the newly reopened building. Credit: Michael Dinan

Yet section 6.8.D of the Town Code now is being strictly enforced, as several ‘No Dogs Allowed’ signs at 77 Main St. make clear. It reads: “Dogs not allowed in public buildings. No person shall bring any dog into any Town-owned building, with the exception of Town-approved activities which invite the presence of animals.”

Asked about the change in interpretation, First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said he has never heard a complaint from the public about dogs at Town Hall, though there potentially is a liability issue should a situation with a dog arise inside the public building.

The ordinance itself had been adopted during a past administration, Mallozzi said, though there likely had been a precipitating factor to get the language created in the Town Code.

Technically speaking, he added, a dog’s presence is not required in order to have the animal licensed by the town. The language “Town-approved activities which invite the presence of animals” may include clinics such as tick removal or rabies vaccinations, or a K-9 demonstration at a school, Mallozzi said. (Dog owners can go here to get a dog licensing application online or to renew their dogs online.)

Weber said she’s hearing from disappointed dog owners that a direct connection between their pets and the Town Clerk is being severed.

“People are disappointed, and I’ve been trying to head people off because we don’t want people leaving their dogs sitting in hot cars [when they come in for a license],” Weber said.

In other cases, Weber said she’s seen dog owners arrive at the newly reopened Town Hall with leased dogs, then turn back and drive away after seeing the ‘No Dogs Allowed’ signs.

“We are respecting [the new interpretation] of the rule, since it’s a new building and I can understand,” Weber said.

One of those who is disappointed in the change is town resident Sara Koch, a New Canaanite for 15 years who was among the core group that was instrumental in creating Spencer’s Run at Waveny. The owner of Oxygen Fitness on Pine Street, Koch used to have two golden retrievers, Vegas and Reno, both of whom have passed, and now has a black Labrador retriever/border collie mix called ‘CC’ (short for “Carson City”) and a great Pyrenees mix named ‘Sugar’ (“because she’s so sweet.”)

“I always have loved the businesses that welcome in dogs because, especially in the summer months, it’s nice to not heave the dog in your car while you do errands,” Koch said. Dogs are welcome at Oxygen Fitness, she added.

Koch said she doesn’t understand the new interpretation of the rule regarding dogs at Town Hall and enjoyed bringing in her pets when renewing their licenses.

“This is a such a family-friendly town, so I never understand why dogs are prohibited from some places—it doesn’t make sense to me,” she said.

7 thoughts on “New Take on Existing Rule Bans Dogs Outright from Town Hall

  1. I am so disappointed by the new rule. My dog loves running errands with me and I would not leaver her in the car for even a minute in the summer. The people in town hall always loved seeing her and would always gather other workers to come see Layla. One of the things I loved most about New Canaan was how dog friendly it was, and I’m saddened to see such a wedge being driven between the town and it’s most loyal residents. Woof!

  2. I guess the moderator of the town hall web site has not been notified of the new policy. Word for word from site:
    http://www.newcanaan.info/content/9490/293/329/1599.aspx

    “Licensing your dog is a fun thing to do!

    If you choose to license your dog in person, you can bring your dog with you, and we will make a big fuss over your pet…we will also administer dog biscuits and hugs, and within minutes your dog will be licensed and legal!”

    NOW IF YOU BRING YOUR DOG YOU WILL BE HANDED A SUMMONS

  3. Lisa S,
    I noticed the same discrepancy! The Town Hall website should be revised accordingly in order to avoid confusion.
    Thanks for your comment!

  4. I have been taking our dogs to get a license every year for 11 years now. It is sad to see that after finishing the new town hall that dogs are no longer allowed inside. I could always renew online but going in person and being able to bring our dog was part of a yearly tradition. Sadly times are changing and personal relationships and contact are being replaced with online transactions. I thought our town/ community was a place where this would not happen because of fear of liability or dirty paws on a new town halls floors. Sad day for the taxpayers who paid for that new building.

  5. The ruling not allowing dogs in town hall goes against all the special things New Canaan is known for. We have always been a dog friendly town. I do hope is ordinance will be reviewed and reversed as it does not represent the will of the people of this town. Perhaps i was the first to break the law as i did bri g my dogs in for their license renewal. As i walk to town i would have had to leave them tied up outside which i was unwilling to do. I hope to bring them with me sgsin next year in anticipation of the reversal of this ordinance.

    • I’m sorry to say but sadly New Canaan instead of being known being a friendly town has fast turned into a police state of complex rules and regulations at every turn. Take the dog park. Used to be simple. Just leash up your dog and head on over. Now you need a registration and a steal trap memory to remember the 4 digit code for park entry and departure. Yes that’s right,departure as well. If you suffered from memory loss while at the park you and your canine friend might have to stay overnight or if your lucky be let out by one of the dog wardens on the lookout for undocumented dogs.

      Want to walk your dog into town on a nice summer morning and enjoy a cup of coffee while sitting at the Pop Up Park…………….

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