Keep Dogs Off School Grounds, Board President Says

Westwood Regional Board of Education President Roberta Hanlon asked residents to obey the signs stating that dogs are not allowed on school properties during their meeting last week.

Some residents have reportedly been walking their dogs on school property, which is not permitted under district policy.

The policy states that pets aren't allowed on district property without permission and "a pet owner who brings or permits his/her animal on school grounds has committed an act of trespass."

The problem has persisted enough that the district bought signs stating the no-dogs rule, but some people have apparently continued bringing their pets to the schools. In one case, someone even let their dog run off the leash while a gym class was using the same field, Hanlon said.

"School fields are not dog parks," Hanlon said. "They are for children."

Westwood does have a fenced-in dog run in Westvale Park.

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