The Struggle for Ithaca Dog Park

November 19, 2004

I think most of the enforcement discussion is better handled off [the dogsoc] list since this is a public list & not everyone 'listening' is sympathetic to the dog park.

Most of the people who have gotten tickets have talked privately to me or other folks to get advice on how it works. If any one gets a ticket, please email me at alicia@ithacadogpark.com and I'd be happy to continue to act as a clearinghouse of what is going on and what options are available.

The disposition of cases is a public record, so there is no reason not to put that information out on the list. For people pleading guilty, the fine has been $15 in the cases I know about. For people who instead plead not guilty and discuss their situation with the City Attorney who is prosecuting the case, Robert Sarachan, so far everyone has been allowed to do an "ACD" - if they do not get another ticket in the next 6 months, then the first ticket is dismissed entirely. While there is no reason to believe the fine amount or ACD policy is going to change, they are of course entirely within the discretion of Judge Rossiter and the City Attorney, respectively. About a dozen people have received tickets since Sept and about half of these have been adjudicated so far.

Alicia