A potentially dangerous situation was resolved when city workers re-landscaped the area surrounding the wading pool in Sixth Ward Memorial Park on East Ross Street. They finished the job just in time for the July Fourth holiday weekend.

After the pool was renovated last fall, residents were concerned that the gap between the bottom of the new fence surrounding the pool and the ground was large enough for a toddler to squeeze through. A toddler, they said, would be free to wander around (and potentially into) the pool while his or her parent had to run around the fence to enter through the gate.

City Public Works Director Charlotte Katzenmoyer said the fence was originally in full compliance last year when the state Department of Health inspected the pool and allowed it to open. However, she said, over the winter the landscaping settled, leaving a gap larger than the 4 inches permitted.

New landscaping, mulch and plants have closed the gap to keep wayward toddlers safe.

Dog deposits
A city resident is having trouble with neighbors who aren't cleaning up after their dogs, leaving the sidewalk and surrounding lawns strewn with many smelly landmines. She wanted to know what to do.

In these situations, said Randy Patterson, the city's director of Neighborhood Revitalization and Economic Development, residents should call the Animal Law Enforcement officer at 735-3453.

The penalty for not cleaning up after one's dog can be anywhere from $50 to $300 (plus court costs) for the first offense and between $300 and $600 (and costs) for all succeeding offenses.

City code (Section 96.16 for those keeping score) specifically declares that no owner (or anyone walking a dog) may allow the animal to "deposit excrement" on streets, alleys or public grounds unless the owner/walker "immediately removes the excrement and disposes of it in a sanitary manner."

"Deposit?" Who knew The Watchdog's four-legged companion has actually been quite the prolific little investor on his many walks. If only those scooped-up deposits accrued interest.

Animal cruelty
Another county resident called to report witnessing cruel treatment of a dog and wondered what could be done. The dog is being left outside for 12 hours a day in the heat without shelter or adequate water, the caller said.

Talk about a hot button issue for the watchdog.

Danielle Ball, a Humane Society police officer and director of operations at the Humane League of Lancaster County, advised calling the league at 393-6551 to report instances of cruelty.

The league has two full-time and one part-time officers to investigate reports.

According to Ball, the state crimes code (Title 18, Section 5511c) defines cruel behavior as ill-treating, overloading, beating, or depriving any animal of "necessary sustenance" (shelter, food, water, veterinary care).

She said it is not illegal to keep an animal outside, as long as it is provided with these necessities. The shelter, Ball said, should have a roof that will protect the animal from sun and rain and should not be placed directly on the ground, which would allow rain water —and mud — to collect on the floor.

(Ball also offered a helpful tip on how to keep fresh water readily available: dig a hole in the ground, put a bucket in the hole and fill it with water. That way, the animal cannot tip over the bucket or bowl.)

She added that when people call the League to report cruelty, they are asked to provide their contact information.

"Please reassure people that we don't give that information out, but it is needed for the process in case we have to get back in touch with them to obtain additional information," Ball said.

She also said people might not see an immediate resolution, which can be frustrating for both those reporting and the officers.

Laws protecting property rights being what they are, she said, "We can't nail people immediately. We give them a warning and tell them they have 24 to 72 hours to take care of the violation. If they don't comply, then they are charged with a summary offense."

The league's officers are on duty from 7 a.m.-midnight, Ball said. Anyone who calls after regular hours will be transferred directly to the officer on duty.

Ball also added that Lancaster's Organization for Responsible Care of Animals also investigates cruelty charges and is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

That phone number is 397-8922.

csmedley@lnpnews.com