Dogs and Beer: Sad News For Locals

Reader Erin writes:

Hi Austinist,
I am a faithful, daily reader and have a question for you. Do you know anything about those pesky cops that have been hanging out at Twin Falls and other greenbelts around town giving out tickets to those who don't have their dog on a leash OR an un-opened beer can in their hand?

My husband got two tickets for the aforementioned reasons yesterday and was pissed. Any advice on how to beat them when we go to court? He was just letting the dog off the lease to pee (and was technically outside of the area which required pets on a leash). And, he wasn't even drinking the beer. In fact, he probably does more to keep that whole area clean as he loves it so much.

Please help Austinist, we don't want our summer ruined by these guys!!

We are sad to report that due to a terrible incident in December, the city of Austin has passed more stringent leash laws that apply to all public areas of Travis County except designated leashless dog parks. We're guessing that the reason Erin and others have noticed increased enforcement is that the law passed in March. We have no idea what the fine is since the ordinance claims that the penalty is that your dog will get impounded!

Regarding the alcohol citation, more sad news for Erin: the city ordinance on alcoholic beverages is not in their favor.

8-3-1 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PROHIBITED.
Except as provided in Section 8-3-5 (Temporary Sales of Beverages and Food), a person may not knowingly sell, possess, or consume an alcoholic beverage in... a recreation facility or adjacent outdoor area that is part of the recreation facility including a field, playground, parking lot, play slab, or playscape; [or] a nature preserve.

Not that we'd ever suggest breaking the law, but if we were going to suggest such a thing we might recommend Camelbak cocktails.

Have any other Austinites had similar experiences?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Kristina B in Other on April 29, 2005 2:38 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Ed

If you do want to indulge while swing at the park or cheering your favorite team... check out this new product. The Beerbelly, holds 80 oz of your favorite beverage, not necessarily booze, but your call, beer, margaritas, lemonade? www.thebeerbelly.com

Kristina B

Randy - Well, you shouldn't have to put up with it. Dog owners should be responsible, and some are. Responsible dog owners do keep their dogs on leashes when it's appropriate but they also train their dogs. The reason it's sad news is because not every dog attacks people and other dogs.

Randy

I completely agree with the leash law. I can't really understand why people think their own dog should be able to run around loose, attacking and provoking other dogs, scaring children. This is a CITY, and people have to restrain their animals. Around the corner from my house, there's this dog that's always loose in the front of this one house. Every time we walk our dog (on a leash) down that street, the other dog attacks us. I just don't see why we should have to put up with that.

Ruben Miranda

Kristina, FYI both ordinance links failed for me.

> It's the dumbasses who get the dogs and play up the

> aggression (or don't train them to curb the aggression)

> that is the problem.

Completely agree, but who draws the line on what dogs can be made hostile? Is it by breed, or size, or how raggedy s/he looks? Neither the law supporters nor the APD would want complexity in the law, otherwise it wouldn't be enforced. What we end up with is a simplistic, overbearing law where ALL dog owners pay the price.

Regarding shelter policy, I've ben pro-euthanasia ever since I watched Shelter Dogs on HBO. An incredible, moving documentary and one that I highly recommend.

Rod

it's not insane, it's amazing ... only you can't put your staw into your cup till you get home, 'cause then it's operating a motor vehicle with an alcoholic beverage

Bre

Drive-thru Daiquiris??

Holy shit, that is INSANE!!

Justin

very informative answers!

Jen Rodosta

Let me start out by saying that the pitbull attack incident with that little girl was horrible.

HOWEVER

I don't like that because of someone's (or a bunch of people's) neglect and irresponsibility, pitbulls get a bad name. They are a difficult breed, but with a responsible owner willing to properly train them, they can be great for pets. Any dog can act out at any time...it's not just pitbulls. I know this breed is prone to aggression--they can't help it. It's the dumbasses who get the dogs and play up the aggression (or don't train them to curb the aggression) that is the problem. The attack also points out the benefits of spaying and neutering your pets and the consequences of throwing dogs out of cars or abandoning them. We have a huge problem with pet abandonment. People get pissed when Town Lake Animal Center euthanizes animals, but you've gotta realize, this usually starts with an irresponsible owner who decides they don't want their dog anymore so they dump it on the animal center or they just toss it out like garbage.

As far as the beer thing goes, I'm originally from New Orleans and don't get the whole "no drinking outside" thing. I worked at a drive thru daiquiris and I didn't realize what was wrong with that until I moved here.

I'll quit bitching now. I know, I said bitching and wrote about dogs. Good luck, Erin.