NEENAH — Pet owners can continue to bring leashed cats and dogs onto public property in the downtown district during special events like the Neenah StreetBall Challenge.
The Common Council on Wednesday rejected an ordinance that would have banned all animals from any downtown event that closes a street to traffic. The vote was 6-2.
"I just don't see a reason to try to regulate pets downtown," Ald. James Hemes said. "We haven't had a problem."
Ald. Judy Zaretzke introduced the ordinance to thwart problems with dogs at StreetBall, an annual event that attracts thousands of athletes and spectators to the downtown.
Appleton passed a similar ordinance five years ago after a dog bit a man during Octoberfest.
"We need to be proactive in this area before something happens," Zaretzke said.
Police Chief Ray Appel said in committee last week that the ordinance would give officers grounds to remove leashed dogs and cats from special events.
"If you bring somebody in with a dog that's just scaring the heck out of people but isn't doing anything illegal, we have no control over it," Appel said. "This would give us the opportunity to say, 'Your dog can't be down here for this particular event.'"