New dog tags to be required for off-leash dogs in Sewickley Heights park

Folks who let their dogs run off-leash at Sewickley Heights Borough Park will soon need a permit for the privilege.

Council unanimously voted April 21 to update its ordinance on dog control in the park.

The major change is the addition of permit/collar tags for pets roaming free in the park along Fern Hollow Road.

Dogs without tags are to remain leashed.

Permit applications are available at the borough office, 238 Country Club Road. They are valid for a year. Borough residents and those living in the 15143 ZIP code will not have to pay the annual permit fee.

There is a $50 annual fee for those outside the ZIP code.

Letters informing residents of the new rule were to be mailed on May 8. New signage will also be posted in the park.

“We’re going to try to do everything we can to make (the new rule) known,” Borough Manager Nathan Briggs said. “Borough council thought it was important for matters of public safety to require a permit tag for all dogs that are off-leash. All dogs are still welcome on their leashes.”

Briggs said there has been a growing concern from other park users — including those with horses — about off-leash dogs the past few years. The multi-use park has no separate fencing for a dog park.

“In discussing with users and the parks commission, the borough council thought (permits) would be a good first step to help address some of those issues,” Briggs said.

Ordinance enforcement will begin June 15, with ramifications left to the police’s discretion.

Those who violate the new rule may be subject to fines and prohibited from letting their pets off-leash for at least a year.

Other rules, such as prohibiting dogs that act aggressively toward other dogs and humans, excessive barking, destruction of park amenities and mandating prompt removal of dog waste, remain in effect.