Do You Think Cats, Other Pets Should Be Leashed?

Town Meeting member Ingrid Barry asked the Danvers Board of Selectmen last week to amend the town’s leash law to include all pets – not just dogs.

Barry said she met with the Health Department and can put a citizens petition before Town Meeting, but would like the Board of Selectmen to back the idea.

Barry said the change would improve the safety of all pets, including cats, ferrets and snakes.

“Not all that have animals under their care take care of them in the same manner,” said Barry concerning why the leash law should be expanded to include pets other than dogs.

Selectmen Chairman Gardner Trask asked Town Manager Wayne Marquis to direct the matter to the appropriate departments to review the current leash law and a new state law that Barry mentioned, and look into whether the town should broaden the current leash law for other domestic animals.

The Board of Selectmen will put the issue on a future meeting agenda.

What do you think? Would you like to see Danvers’ leash law include other pets in addition to dogs? Let us know in the comment section below.