Dog Owners Break Rules at Waveny, Irwin

New Canaan police during routine patrols at two popular spots for dog owners last weekend found people out of compliance with regulations.

On Feb. 16, shortly before 3 p.m. during a routine check of the dog run at Waveny Park—Spencer’s Run—an officer came upon a Stamford resident whose dog wasn’t wearing the required license.

According to Officer Mary Ann Kleinschmitt of the New Canaan Police Department's animal control unit, that’s “rule number one.”

“We enforce it,” Kleinschmitt said.

By midsummer, dog owners who use the popular fenced-in section over by the platform tennis courts will need to register with the town—and sign a liability waiver—prior to entering Spencer’s Run.

As it is, Kleinschmitt said, it’s difficult for police to find dog owners who simply leave the park when their dogs get into fights. With the new swipe card entry system scheduled to launch July 1, police will be able to track who is coming and going from Spencer’s Run.

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Following that incident, police during a routine patrol of Irwin Park saw an elderly woman stooping to her dog run off-leash.

Confronted by police, the woman said the old miniature Doberman Pinscher had just had knee surgery.

Upon investigation, police found that the dog was licensed in New York and issued a written warning.