No pets downtown during Hoopfest

Sat., June 30, 2007

From staff reports The Spokesman-Review

Hoopfest brings thousands of extra people to downtown Spokane – but their pets aren’t welcome.

Spokane police will be on the lookout for slobbery suspects – dogs, along with other domestic animals, are not allowed downtown during public events. This weekend, officers plan to specifically enforce a city ordinance that has been loosely imposed since 2003 by writing tickets for $153, a police news release states.

It applies to any animals, from dogs to parrots to boa constrictors, Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said.

“This event offers such an increased stimulus for the animals which can often lead to unexpected reactions from the animals,” the release states. “We do not want to see anyone injured, including the animals, when the situation could have been avoided all together.”

The law prohibits animals in the area encompassed by Monroe Street, Second Avenue, Browne Street and Boone Avenue, according to the release.

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