Good morning.

For the for the record, my name is City Councillor Ed Flynn, Chair of the Boston City Council Committee on City Services.

Today is July thirtieth, twenty twenty-six.

The exact time is twelve zero four.gov City Council Dash TV broadcast on Xfinity, Channel Eight, RCN, Channel Eighty to Fios Channel Nine Sixty Four.

Written comments may be sent to the committee email at CCC.gov and will be part of the record and available to all city councilors.

Public testimony will also be taken.

Individuals we will be called upon in order in which they sign up and we'll have two minutes to testify.

You can testify virtually or you can sign up right at the back of the room or the entrance of the room, I should say.

If you are interested in testifying in person, please add your name to the sign-up sheet.

If you're looking to testify virtually, please email our central staff liaison megan at MEAGAN.C-O-R-U-G-E D O at Boston.gov for the link, and your name will be added to the list.

Today's hearing is on docket 0811.

Order for a hearing to review animal control enforcement, leash law compliance, dog licensing, public safety in the city of Boston.

The matter was sponsored by City Councilor Aaron Murphy and Edward Flynn and has been referred to the committee on April 14th, 2026.

Today I am joined by colleagues in order of arrival.

City Council Aaron Murphy.

And that's it.

We are joined by a panel today that includes the City of Boston, Director of Animal Care and Control, Alexis Traszinski, who does an outstanding job working on behalf of the residents of the city.

I have seen her team at many locations throughout various neighborhoods of Boston, and they're all they're always doing exceptional work, professional work, and communicating as well to the residents and letting them know about upcoming events and how they can support their pet.

We're also here with Mike Kiley, who's the vice president of Animal Protection Division at Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Angel Hospital off of South Huntington Avenue in Jamaica Plain.

Before I give my opening comments, I would like to ask Council Murphy if you would like to go first, and I'll I will follow after you, please.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here.

I know we've had conversations about this in the past.

A couple years ago, Councillor Flynn and then Councillor Flaherty had an in-person meeting up at M Street Park with concerns there.

Um just to me it is a balance.

I'm a dog owner, dog lover.

I bring my dog out for walks.

We know that during COVID, when our parks were not activated, that many residents and rightfully so we're using them as places to gather and dogs to come together.

And even though we're years now out from that, still there are places around the city where the dogs still use the park, which now we are getting direct calls, Council Flynn and I.

One particular concerning incident was the girls' softball team over at McConnell Park.

Often games had to be stopped and interruptions because dogs are running into you know the middle of their game.

So to me, this is a balance of yes.

And one of the things that came up a couple years ago when we were meeting across the city for budget hearings and what they would like to see in the participatory budgeting, and overwhelmingly it was more dog parks.

So we do know that dog owners feel that there is a need for more spaces to bring their dogs, but at the same time, when we're renovating and activating our parks and our seniors and our young kids and people of all ages are using them.

I do think we need to be clear on what are the rules.

It's a conversation that comes up in almost every aspect of city government.

What rules are already on the books?

We don't think we need to be here to talk about new rules.

It's how will we enforcing them?

Is it ISD?

Is it the Parks Department?

I know at those previous meetings with Ryan Woods Parks was there.

I know we invited them.

We had hoped they were here because I think they're a big part of this conversation because many times it is in our you know city parks that this is happening.

So happy that you are here, but know that I know you your division, even though you do so much for the animals, it isn't always the or it never is.

So I know that you do have that information, though.

If you could share that with us so that when we leave here, we can kind of have more of an understanding of what next steps to do.

So thank you.

Thank you, Council Flynn.

Thank you, Council Murphy for adding me as an original co-sponsor.

Again, thank you to the panel for being here.

City law requires that dogs be kept on a leash and remain under control when often owners' property prohibits dogs from running at large and mandates that all dogs over six months of age be licensed annually with proof of rabies vaccination.

I do know that the City of Boston Animal Care and Control does tremendous outreach with residents, especially residents with limited income, and helping residents get the proper vaccinations for their for their pet.

I've seen it, I've seen it dozens of times across many neighborhoods, and want to want to say thank you to you, Alexis.

Despite the existence of these clear and established laws, residents across the city continue to report concerns regarding off-leash dogs, unlicensed animals, and at times inconsistent compliance in public space spaces.

I could highlight, as Councillor Murphy did, about different locations where people were bit by dogs, including in my neighborhood at Meadow Havana Park, but also in the South End, the Southwest Corridor, I believe in Peters Park as well.

A man was attacked in Peters Park and suffered extensive injuries as well as another dog bite incident that took place in another neighborhood.

While laws governing dangerous dog incidents are in place, public confusion remains about the appropriate response to these situations and the legal standards for intervention.

Recent high-profile cases across the region have further underscored concern about the use of force or in public safety protocols.