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37 °F 5 Day Forecast Monday, December 8, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 4, 2003 Toby and Tucker greet each other at the entrance to Eastwood Cemetery, final resting place for many of Medford�s pioneers. The City Council today will consider closing the cemetery to dogs because of calling cards their owners don�t clean up. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Medford mayban cemetery dog walking The City Council will consider barring dogs at the Eastwood Cemetery because of owners who don’t clean up after pets By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune A recurring problem at a historic east Medford cemetery has the city looking at prohibiting what they say are ill-mannered visitors. And their canines. "Dogs are defecating on the graves," said Claudette Moore, city councilwoman and liaison to the city’s Cemetery Commission. But some dog owners say banning Buddy isn’t the answer. Following complaints from gravesite visitors and groundskeepers about doggie doo doo left behind, the City Council today will consider amending the city code to prohibit dogs from Eastwood Cemetery on Eastwood Lane near Bear Creek Park. The council meets at noon in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. Advertisement Such an amendment would be the first time dogs have been prohibited from using open space in Medford. And some dog walkers aren’t happy with the idea. "We do clean up after our dog," said Dody Hart, showing off her pockets filled with plastic bags for collecting her pooch’s leavings. Her husband Hank Hart, who enjoys regular walks with their beagle, Toby, said he has four grandparents, one great grandparent and a sister buried in Eastwood, and he supports people walking their dogs in the area. Some dog walkers argue they’re good caretakers. Keith Harrison said he’s run two sets of vandals out of the cemetery in the past month on his walks with his silver schnauzer, Tucker. "There are a group of people who come in here and drink," he said. "We come in here and police the place." Jay McEwen and his standard poodle, Jenna, are also regulars. "I’ve walked around here numerous times and cleaned up," he said, adding, "We actually are a benefit." Other cities, such as Ashland, prohibit dogs in all parks except those designated for dogs, says City Attorney Ron Doyle, but Medford does not have such a regulation. He said the way it is now, people can be fined up to $250 for letting their dogs run free or for leaving the dog’s feces in a public area. "This (cemetery closure) goes a little further," he said. Beverly Power, customer service specialist with the Parks and Recreation Department, said it’s a necessary provision. The 1890 cemetery is recognized as a pioneer cemetery and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Eastwood has five to eight interments annually, said Power, and she said people often don’t realize it’s an active cemetery. "There was one guy with four or five dogs during a funeral," she said. "I think people are under the illusion that it’s a park," adding, "It’s no way to be treating deceased loved ones." She said private cemeteries with numerous staff and manicured lawns don’t seem as attractive to dog-walkers as does Eastwood, a former Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery now managed by the city. Councilwoman Moore said this has gone on for years, and it’s time to draw the line. She said the commission has even installed plastic bag dispensers and posted signs requesting people pick up after their pooches, but people disobey. Moore said community service patrols have stopped people with off-leash dogs, but she doesn’t think increasing patrols and fines is a good answer. "Our police have more important things to do," she said. Moore, a self-proclaimed "little old lady with the plastic bags", said the city’s dog park is the perfect answer. "Maybe we need more dog parks," she said. McEwan said even though the dog park is within walking distance, he doesn’t go there any more. "It’s been grief, both times I’ve gone there," he said, adding that he’s seen too much inappropriate, aggressive behavior by other dogs there. Harrison said he doesn’t use the dog park, either. "It’s a big mud puddle," he said. But some, like Judy Miller and her mixed-breed dog Misca find the dog park to be perfect. They visit several times each week. "Dog owners are their own worst enemies when they don’t clean up after their dogs," said Miller. She understands the city getting annoyed by people leaving their dogs’ messes behind, but she hates to see pets banned from an area. "I’m bothered by the continual restrictions," she said, adding that a well-exercised dog is a happy dog. But all seem to agree that owners need to clean up because it’s no fun to step in it. "A pile of dog poop is not pleasant," said Miller. "Pet owners need to shoulder their responsibility, but they also need to be given places they can let their pets run." 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