Front Porch Politicking Underway In Moraga

Here's a hint for Moragans who would like to see more of their neighbors: stand on your front porch with your pooch -- these days you're going to see folks bearing petitions to keep Rancho Laguna Park open to dogs very show up very quickly!

Three neighbors turned up in the span of about two hours Sunday, and it was good to see you all, even if we couldn't sign the petition in hope of preserving our objectivity on the issue.

Petitioners hope to get enough signatures to force repeal of an ordinance banning off leash dogs at the park. They'd like to keep things as they are -- or will be until June 9, when the newly passed ordinance takes effect and off-leash antics are banned entirely.

About 1,100 signatures are needed before the town council would have to reconsider its position. If the petitioners, who said they hope to bring the required number of signatures to the town on June 7, meet their goal the ordinance would be suspended until the council could meet to vote whether to repeal it -- or to put the matter to public vote.

In an interesting turn this weekend, Patch's front porch survey of pro-ban/no ban factions included some testimony from the owner of a rescue dog who visited the park only to have it attacked and badly mauled by a bully dog. That side of the equation, the wounded pup's owner said, also needs to be taken into account.

"Some people just aren't taking responsibility for their animals," she said, while our Black Lab sniffed in disapproval.

There you have it. The issue isn't over, yet.