CITY OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — If you're hinking about bringing your dog along to Canal Fest this year, a new Tonawanda law says you can't.
It all stems from Canal Fest last year, when Dog Control Officer Jace Kowsky said he was inundated with calls and complaints after the first day.
"All kind of things. Dogs urinating on vendors, tents and stuff like that, dogs that are overheated," he said.
After doing a patrol the second day of the festival, he realized this indeed was an issue.
"It's not good on their paws, it's not great they get over-stimulated with all the activity," said Kowsky.
After Canal Fest last year, he went to the Common Council and proposed a ban on dogs from some city events.
The ordinance was passed three weeks ago, but it does not apply to service dogs.
Kowsky said the Fourth of July festivities at Niawanda Park will not be affected by the ordinance since that park is dog-friendly.
He asks people to be responsible, make sure their dogs are tagged, on a short leash and are kept in the shade.
He also believes the ordinance will make events safer for both people and their pets.
"It not just the pets, but you got to always make sure that our residents are all safe. It really coincides with both, safety for all," he said.
If you do bring your dog along you will be issued a warning.
