Good luck with that. That is an issue at another park in this town where kids play sports. Although there is a leash law, there is not a "No Dogs Allowed" law at any of the parks that kids play sports. The only way that you can catch owners not picking up after there dogs, is if you see them yourself.

If the Selectmen cared about our children they would have introduced a similar article.

Town Article

Move that the Town vote to amend the Stoneham Town Code by inserting into Chapter 3 Animals and Fowl the following:

Sec. 3-12. Parks – Dog Ban

(a) Parks – Dog Ban: It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any dog, except a registered service dog, to be within the boundaries of:

Town of Stoneham Parcel 6-0-78, Cerrone Park, as recorded in the Middlesex Registry of Deeds in Book 11873 Page 539.

Town of Stoneham Parcel 13-0-55, Recreation Park, as recorded in the Middlesex Registry of Deeds in Book 10797 Page 353

(b) Enforcement: Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine pursuant to Section 1.4 of these Bylaws.

(c) Penalties: The non-criminal disposition penalty that shall apply to a violation of Section 3-12 shall be as follows:

First Offense (over a 24-month period) Warning
Second Offense (over a 24-month period) $ 50.00
Third and subsequent offense(s) (over a 24-month period) $150.00

And further to amend Section 1-4A of the Stoneham Town Code so as to list the non-criminal disposition penalty listed in this Section 3-12(c) in said Section 1-4A.

It's not just the sport parks; the schools too!! It is terrible! Do you think having dog poop bag dispensers would help? I have seen them walking the lake in Wakefield. You would think the owner would be responsible and just pick up after their pet!! I however DO NOT agree with the statement above - that the Selectmen don't care about our children.

The person has been cutting and pasting "if the Selectmen cared about our children..." all over, like they have Tourettes. Not constructive at all. The Selectmen have done a lot for our children. What a lame way to attack the Selectmen by hiding behind dog poop.

Both laws are enforced on the soccer field, unfortunately the Animal Control position is part time/on call. This does not allow me to monitor all the fields on a regular basis.