By Paul Leighton
Staff writer
March 26, 2008 05:45 am BEVERLY — The city is trying once again to hire a part-time "canine warden" to help enforce dog regulations. Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Doig said the city tried to hire one last year but got no takers. Instead, it hired three college students to patrol the parks on bicycles but without the authority to write tickets for violations. Now the city is advertising again for a part-time dog officer. The person would work 191/2 hours per week from April to November and would be paid $14.37 per hour. "It would give us coverage when Jim (Lindley, the city's full-time animal services officer) is not around," Doig said. "We're trying to get people to understand the new regulations." The City Council passed new rules last May that allow leashed dogs in six parks — Beverly Common, Independence Park, Cooney Field, Dix Park, Lindsey Park and Colgate Park. Previously, dogs were not allowed in any park during the day from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The city is also trying to establish a park near Beverly Airport where dogs can run off-leash. Lindley said the new part-time dog officer will have the authority to issue citations for such violations as failing to leash a dog or failing to pick up after a dog. Fines start at $50 and increase with subsequent offenses, he said. The deadline for applying for the part-time position is today.
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