A. Except in specifically prohibited areas, domesticated pets shall be permitted within city parks. Owners and/or handlers are solely responsible for their domesticated pets and for any and all damage caused by such pet.

B. Unless in a designated off-leash area, all domesticated pets shall be in direct control of their handler at all times. As used herein, “direct control” shall mean caged or kept on a leash, cord, chain, or other means of similar strength to restrain the animal, of not more than six feet in length. Pets under assumed voice control or pets tethered or tied to a tree, plant, building or equipment do not qualify as being under direct control and will be found to be in violation of this section.

C. No domesticated pets, except service animals, shall be allowed to restrict the pedestrian flow on narrow sidewalks or passageways.

D. At all times, any domesticated pet within a city park shall wear up-to-date tags indicating that the animal’s rabies vaccinations are current.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit a domesticated pet under his or her direct control to disturb, harass or interfere with any park visitor, park visitor’s property or park employee. Handlers are required to immediately remove any domesticated pet exhibiting aggressive behavior toward another pet or any person including the handler from city property.

F. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow a domesticated pet within a city park without possessing an appropriate device for cleaning up pet feces and disposing of it in a sanitary manner.

G. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow a wild or nondomesticated animal including, but not limited to, cattle, mules, swine, sheep, goats, fowl or reptiles, within a city park without prior written approval from the community services department. In conjunction with events or projects sponsored by the city, certain animals may be allowed in designated areas of city parks at specified times without restraint.

H. The presence of a domesticated pet in a dog park or any other park area, facility, or open space shall constitute a waiver of liability, on behalf of the person either owning, controlling, or attempting to control the pet, to the city of Maricopa, as well as an agreement and undertaking to protect, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the city of Maricopa for any and all liability and/or damages alleged to have been or adjudicated to have been caused by the actions or presence of a domesticated pet including but not limited to property damage or personal injury.

I. It is unlawful for any person to allow a domesticated pet under their care to leave feces on the ground within any city park and depart the area without cleaning it up and disposing of it in a sanitary manner.

J. Users of parks must keep their dogs securely leashed at all times. Users of dog parks and off-leash areas must keep their dogs securely leashed at all times prior to entering and exiting the designated off-leash areas and securing the entrance gates.

K. Dogs in parks including, but not limited to, the dog parks and off-leash areas must be accompanied by their owner or authorized custodian at all times. It is unlawful for owners or custodians to leave their dogs unattended in any portion of a city park.

L. Dog owners or custodians must keep their dogs under voice control and within line of sight at all times while they are inside the dog parks or off-leash areas.

M. Dog owners or custodians are required to leash their dogs and remove them from the dog parks or off-leash areas immediately following any indication of aggressive behavior.

N. It is unlawful for persons to groom dogs within any portion of a city park including, but not limited to, dog parks or off-leash areas.

O. All dogs in any area of a city park must be at least four months old and be currently vaccinated against rabies, bordetella, parvo, and distemper.

P. Children 11 years of age and younger are at all times prohibited within the boundaries of designated off-leash areas and dog parks owned and/or operated by the city of Maricopa unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Q. Dogs inside the dog parks or off-leash areas must be spayed or neutered.

R. It is unlawful to smoke, consume alcohol, or eat inside the dog parks or off-leash areas.

S. Dog owners or custodians are responsible for the conduct of their animals at all times.

T. Dog owners, dog custodians, and all other visitors to the city parks including, but not limited to, the dog parks or off-leash areas assume all risks related to their visit and use of the areas. [Ord. 23-07 § 1; Ord. 17-12 § 1; Ord. 17-04 § 1; Ord. 06-08 § 1; Res. 06-24; Code 2004 § 18-4-2.]