Billings Council Considers Parks Ordinance Tonight

Tonight, the Billings City Council will consider a proposed ordinance permitting dogs and cats in Billings parks.  The city’s Animal Control Board and Parks Board have conducted a number of meetings to review the existing ordinance prohibiting dogs and cats in parks.  Subject to a few restrictions, both boards unanimously backed an ordinance revision that dogs and cats be allowed in developed city parks while on a leash.  The proposal also allows the city administrator to allow dogs off-leash in designated areas in one or more city parks.  

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 220 N. 27th Street.  The council discussed the proposal during its April 18 work session, directing staff to write an ordinance for its consideration.   For safety, sanitation and health reasons, there are a number of parks areas where dogs and cats are not allowed under the proposed ordinance.