Dog Gone Policy at Todos Santos Plaza

Todos Santos Plaza is apparently no place for Sammie and Lacie.

Owners of the two small dogs were asked to remove them from the downtown park just before Thursday's when police told them about a city policy banning dogs from the park in the center of town. The pet owners weren't happy. 

"It's ridiculous," said John Schuler, of Livermore. "We go to [shows in] Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill, and they don't have that rule," he said as his wife Lisa folded the couple's picnic blanket before heading back home. 

"We came a long way, stuck in traffic," said Lisa, who along with John and their Maltise Bichon, Lacie, came to Concord to watch their friends and Thursday-featured musicians, the Carlos Reyes Band.

"What kind of park is this without dogs?" Lisa asked before leaving.

Lisa and John weren't the only ones who had to take their dogs home from the park:

"They say they haven't allowed dogs in this park for five years," said Bill Iannaccone, who had to take his dog Sammie, home from the park. "I usually walk him here and nobody has ever said anything about dogs before."

Iannaccone, of Concord, said the officer told him it's partly because food is sold at the park's farmers market, but a sign posted at Todos Santos said dogs are prohibited at all times. (See photos.) "I just disagree," said Iannaccone. "... people go to parks near concerts, and we're nowhere near the food."

Not just dogs

Smoking is also prohibited at Todos Santos Plaza and eight blocks around it since the

In addition to dogs and smoking, a city sign warns of an ordinance banning alcohol, amplified sounds, bicycles, skateboards, skates and vendors at Todos Santos Plaza. 

What do you think? Should dogs be allowed at Todos Santos Plaza? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments.

Like Concord Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Get Free Concord Patch Newsletters and Breaking News | Blog on Patch!