Marin County is always so interesting when it comes to pet-centric issues.
Last fall I wrote about efforts to create a bronze statue to a male turkey, who had been struck and killed by a motorist near Gerstle Park in San Rafael. People in the neighborhood had come to “love” the turkey as he toddled around. They missed him so much that neighbors held a vigil and started fundraising for the memorial.
Off leash dogs interfering with people walking their pet lizards is the latest controversy.
Sierra Bekele of San Rafael loves her lizards as much as other people love their dogs, she says. Bekele has two lizards, a three foot long Savannah Monitor and an Argentine Red Tagu.
She told a Marin County publication that she likes to take her lizards for walks in the sun because it is good for their skin. Unfortunately, dog owners have allowed their pets off leash and one bit the tail of one of the lizards.
Marin County’s ordinances don’t cover lizard walking. In fact, one would bet, few county park ordinances specifically mention lizard walking.
Yes, the dogs are supposed to be on leash.
Animal control officers have increased patrols of the park to keep an eye on things.
But if owners are going to have their dogs off leash, they should be under voice command not just to call them away from other dogs, but now apparently lizards too.
