While it’s true that every dog ​​has its day, that day may have finally arrived in El Cajon.

El Cajon City Council members unanimously agreed Tuesday to amend a municipal code that has banned dogs in much of downtown since 1997.

Some council members said they were surprised to learn the ban existed.

“I would be very dishonest if I kept this ban because I have a house full of animals and, for me, I didn’t know it was banned,” said Councilor Michelle Metschel. “I’ve brought my big dog a few times and eaten at restaurants here with my dog, so yes, I agree, we need to remove the ban.”

After a speaker addressed the council in support of lifting the ban, council member Phil Ortiz thanked the man for bringing it to their attention a few weeks ago.

“I’m pretty sure it was you who told us about it after a meeting,” he said. “You walked up to Michelle and I and said, ‘Hey, did you know you’re not allowed to have dogs downtown?’ Michelle and I said, “No way. »

In presenting the proposed change, Deputy City Manager Vince DiMaggio said the city had received “more than a few phone calls and emails” questioning whether the ordinance was real and whether it could be changed.

The ban applies to an urban area known as the superblock, which includes Prescott Parkway, Centennial Plaza, the civic center, the library and Judson Park.

DiMaggio said he and City Manager Graham Mitchell see dozens of people walking their dogs in the civic center daily, likely unaware they are violating a law.

The ordinance was passed in 1997 based on the perception that the dogs would pose a health risk and lead to frequent and ongoing maintenance problems, according to a staff report.

“None of the issues perceived to be concerning have actually materialized,” DiMaggio said.

Attitudes toward dogs have changed over the years, the staff report said.

“Over time, dogs have become a much more accepted part of the social fabric of the community and are frequently seen at community events,” the report states. “The use of dogs as service animals in a variety of capacities, which was virtually unheard of in 1997 (except for the visually impaired), is now commonplace.”

The amendment to the ordinance will take effect after its second reading in December.

It was the second time in two months that the city council decided to repeal a decades-old ban on downtown activities.

In Octoberthe council ordered the Planning Commission to come back with a recommendation to lift the restriction on the number of bars in downtown El Cajon.

City Council member Michelle Metschel wondered Tuesday what was happening in El Cajon in the 1990s.

“What happened in 97?” she said. “We had closed all the bars, we had banned smoking, we had closed the dogs. What else did we close in the 90s? »

The city staff report on the ordinance said the ban had a “symbolic benefit” to the police department because it could be used to remove homeless encampments from parks if dogs were present. The report also notes that the police chief said this would not be a problem because other laws would achieve the same goal.

Despite this little-known ban, El Cajon appears to be a dog-friendly town, and locals even attempted to set a world record for the most dogs watching a movie in February. The event at Wells Park featured the film “Beethoven,” but the attempt failed.

Originally published: November 14, 2024 at 6:12 p.m. PST