title
An Ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 650 of the Allegheny County Code of Ordinances, entitled “Park Rules and Regulations,” §650-1, entitled “Prohibited activities,” in order to clarify limitations upon certain interactions with undomesticated animals within the nine County-owned parks.
body
WHEREAS, Allegheny County owns and operates nine parks located within the County’s borders, encompassing over 12,000 acres of publicly accessible green space, and incorporating over 30 playground areas, with numerous spray parks, picnic venues, a family restaurant, a zipline facility, skating rinks, ski slopes, pools, and other family-oriented activity areas; and
WHEREAS, the County has enacted regulations governing activities such as lighting fires, consuming alcoholic beverages, discharging firearms and/or using other weapons or explosives, and disposal of waste/trash, and which are specifically intended to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of the individuals who use the County’s parks as well as preserving the delicate ecosystems present in the parks; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Allegheny County’s parks have become home to various populations of animals, which are largely or entirely undomesticated; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control, undomesticated animals can transmit a number of serious diseases and/or parasites to humans, including Campylobacteriosis (a gastrointestinal disease that can become life-threatening in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems), Cheyletiellosis (a skin condition that is transmitted via parasitic mites), Cryptosporidiosas (a gastrointestinal disease that can become life-threatening in those with weakened immune systems), Echinococcosis (tapeworms), Giardiasis (a gastrointestinal illness that can last for 1-2 weeks), Hookworm, MRSA (antibiotic-resistant staph infections that can spread and become life-threatening, even i...
Click here for full text