Read DogPAC SB's Position Paper
on Dog Ownership and Open Space

The objectives of Dog PAC are:

• To educate the public about responsible dog ownership, with emphasis on promotion of proper facilities for dog waste disposal public information materials on dog behavior and ownership education about dog training, vaccination, and population control development of educational programs for schools

• To protect responsible dog owners' rights to exercise and train their dogs via municipal ordinance changes ensuring legal off-leash dog training in public parks establishment and protection of off-leash dog recreation areas

• To promote fair, non-breed-specific legislation via our liaison role with the County Animal Shelter and Santa Barbara Humane Society grassroots organizing in relation to, and lobbying of, the Santa Barbara City Council and County Board of Supervisors assessment and consideration of the economic impact of dog owners' activities on local businesses

As always, we remind dog owners of our motto:

Remember -
Courtesy, Clean-up, and Control

DogPAC SB has played a leading role in securing off-leash recreation in selected public parks in the South County, including the Douglas Family Preserve, Arroyo Burro Beach, and several County parks and open spaces.

These will remain dog-friendly only if park users continue to be responsible and practice good "Petiquette."

DogPAC's current role is to help maintain Santa Barbara's off-leash areas through education and advocacy. DogPAC will continue its efforts to preserve these spaces and advocate for fair and equitable use of the City's 56 parks for dog-owners.

DogPAC's motto -- courtesy, clean-up, and control -- reflects the key elements of responsible dog ownership.

Courtesy: Be courteous to fellow park users, those with and without dogs. Use your human skills to resolve issues with other dog owners and park users. If you are unable to peacefully resolve a situation or you encounter an aggressive person or dog, please contact the police. The bad behavior of a very few can jeopardize everyone's off-leash privileges. 

Clean-up: Always clean up after your dogs. BYOPB -- bring your own poop bag! And please don't leave your little bundles along the path or beach; too often they are forgotten! 

Control: Dog owners are always responsible for the behavior of their dogs. You must control and watch your dogs at all times to ensure that they are well-behaved, not aggressive, and safe!

It has come to our attention that Animal Control and city police have received complaints about professional dog-walkers attempting to walk as many as 10 dogs off-leash at certain City and County parks and beaches. It is Dog PAC's position that one person cannot effectively control more than three off-leash dogs at one time. It is a risk not worth taking.