Signs Alerting Dog Walkers to New Willard's Woods Leash Rule Are Stolen

A pair of signs announcing new weekend regulations for dogs to be on-leash at Willard's Woods have been pried from their posts and stolen, officials said.

The new regulation, approved by the Conservation Commission on June 22, went into effect on Sept. 1, and sparked much debate among neighbors, dog owners and others who also feel strongly that dogs should or should not be leashed at Willard's Woods on the weekends.

On Saturday – the first weekend day under the new regulation – Animal Control Officer Stephanie Doucette noticed that two metal signs alerting dog walkers of the rule change had been pried loose and were missing, and a pamphlet holder had been broken.

"My opinions on the new rule don't matter," Doucette said. "But I have strong opinions on vandalism – when I see it, I will report it to police and the Conservation Commission."

The signs were intact on Friday, Doucette said, and were likely removed Friday evening or early Saturday morning. The green signs, measuring 8-by-4 inches, state in white lettering: "Saturdays & Sundays Dogs Must Be On Leash. Weekdays: Dogs May Be Off Leash If Under Voice Control."

One sign was stolen from the Brent Road entrance to Willard's Woods, and another from a new post in the pine grove, about a quarter mile from the Brent Road entrance. Two more signs, at entrances on North Street, remain in place. 

However, a black pamphlet holder below the sign at the Brent Road entrance was also damaged. Its lid was broken off, and the Conservation Commission pamphlets inside, "A guide for dog walkers at Willard's Woods," were found by Doucette, torn in half and thrown in a nearby trashcan.

Doucette, who patrols Willard's Woods on weekdays and weekends, said aside from the stolen signs, it was a quiet weekend at the 100-acre conservation area. She attributes it to the holiday weekend when many residents were out of town.

She gave just one verbal warning to a walker whose dog was off-leash on Saturday, as her customary practice is to give verbal warnings for first-time offenders before ticketing.

Then, fines for violating the new regulation are $100 for the first offense, $150 for second and third offenses and $200 for fourth and subsequent offenses, as set by the Conservation Commission.

While Doucette said that she seems both sides of the weekend on-leash argument, she hopes the regulation may lead to dog walkers picking up after their pets more often, simply because of the proximity of the dog to its owner when it relieves itself.

People not picking up after their dogs is a problem at Willard's Woods, Doucette said. Yesterday, on a walk to and from the pine grove, Doucette spotted nine piles of dog excrement. On an average day, Doucette says she sees 12 new piles.

"If a dog is on a leash, it's no more than six feet away," she said. "On-leash promotes more cleaning up."

As for the signs, Doucette said they are in the process of being replaced by the town's conservation officials. The pamphlet holder has been repaired, and is restocked with dog-walker guidelines.

What are your thoughts on the stolen signs and the new regulation at Willard's Woods? Leave your comments below.