The great dog debate continues at Cedar Rapids Farmers' Market

CEDAR RAPIDS — Kayla Saxton didn't want to leave her canine friend at home when she went to the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market June 18.

So Saxton, 24, of North Liberty, brought her German shorthaired pointer Nora along with her for a morning of visiting vendors and enjoying the fresh air.

'I didn't want to leave her inside all day by herself,' Saxton said. 'She's cooped up all day while we're at work — this is a good chance to get outside.'

But not everyone is pleased to see four-legged market attendees like Nora among the crowds. The topic is a regular concern from letter-to-the-editor writers to The Gazette, with people worried about everything from the heat of the concrete on puppy paws to fears of unruly mutts causing a ruckus.

Mary Craig, 60, of Cedar Rapids, penned a letter a year ago and spoke with The Gazette again this week. She has two Boston terriers and an Italian mastiff at home — and home is where they stay.

'I am a dog lover and owner,' she said. 'I have three precious, well-behaved dogs, but under no circumstances would I take my dogs to the farmers market. There are just too many people and not enough space.'

She said there have been times when she has avoided booths when there were too many people with dogs. She worries a dog could get spooked by the crowd or a loud noise and bite either a person or another dog.

'Why bring the dog? When I go to the market, I know what I get out of it. What does a dog get out of it?' Craig said. 'I watch people having to tug on their leashes all the time. Their poor necks, you know?'

Melissa McCarville, communications manager for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, which organizes the market, says she's well aware of the concerns, but also has heard positive comments about dogs being allowed at the market. She said there are no plans to ban dogs from the market.

'We get feedback on both sides of the issue when it comes to dogs, both from the responsible owners who absolutely love bringing their dogs down, and on the other side we have people who aren't necessarily animal lovers and maybe aren't comfortable with the dogs there,' she said.

The market does have a pet policy that starts with 'Be kind to your pets, leave them at home.'

For those who choose to bring their dog, the policy stipulates things like leash length — less than 3 feet — and waste removal. Market employees also reserve the right to ask any pet owner to remove their dog from the market. Staff and the army of volunteers who help them keep the market running are reminded of the pet policy before each market starts, and volunteers who see any problems are instructed to tell a staff member, who then is to approach the pet owner.

McCarville said in the market's 11 years, they have had to use the policy, but, 'Not very often.'

'The reason we've chosen for the venue to be pet friendly is really because we hope people can use that good common sense,' she said.

Logistics play a part in the policy, she said. Economic Alliance officials estimate an average of 14,000 people attend each market, and there are no barricaded entrances or exits — it happens on 12 blocks of public streets. The Iowa City Downtown Farmers Market, in contrast, does not allow dogs but happens inside a parking structure. Dogs are allowed, however, on the public street in front of the parking garage where more vendors sell food.

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McCarville said Cedar Rapids market organizers want to be welcoming to those who choose to bring their animals.

'It's an open venue. We need to be open to everyone,' she said. 'Really, at the end of the day we want the dogs to be happy and we want our patrons to be happy and safe. That's our goal.'

Some vendors take an extra step to accommodate dogs.

Caitlin Forrester is the manager at Cobble Hill, which serves tacos from a booth in front of their restaurant at 219 Second St. SE. They keep a bowl of water at the booth for passing pups, a move that comes from past experience of having dog owners seated on their outdoor patio requesting water for their pooches.

'We enjoy making people happy, and we enjoy dogs,' she said.

The Gazette spoke with several dog owners at the June 18 market. All said the same thing — if you're going to bring a dog, use common sense, such as keeping them on a short leash, making sure they don't get too hot or stressed and only bringing dogs that do well in crowds.

Adel Zeller, 33, of Atkins, brought her six-month-old black mouth cur Zeke to the market for the first time June 18. She said she has had other dogs she would never consider bringing to the market, but Zeke has the disposition for it. She also wants him to learn socialization skills while he's still young.

'He loves kids and other dogs and being petted,' she said. 'I wanted him to get the market experience.'

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market pet policy

The following is the text of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market pet policy:

Be kind to your pets, leave them at home. Our Downtown Farmers' Market can be crowded with customers and products, and the environment isn't conducive to animals. If patrons choose to bring their pet, they're expected to act in a responsible pet-owner manner, and abide by the rules listed below. We want all of our visitors to have a safe, clean and enjoyable experience.

• Pets must be on a leash no longer than 3 feet and must be kept by their owner's side at all times.

• Pets must be under control and well behaved while in the market venue.

• Pets must be kept away from produce, plants and prepared food products.

• Pets must be sociable with those attending the market (including humans and other animals) or they may be asked to leave the market.

• Pet owners need to be understanding that not everyone is an animal lover, or comfortable around animals.

• Pet owners must clean up after their pet and need to bring the appropriate items to do so.

• In addition to our market policies, there are some city ordinances that pertain to pets at venues such as the Farmers' Market.

Please note: Farmers' Market staff and volunteers reserve the right to ask any pet owner to remove their pet from our venue at any time and for any reason. Pet owners will be held liable for damages caused by animals at the market.

If you go

The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market is open from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday and also takes place July 16, Aug. 6, Aug. 20, Sept. 3 and Sept. 17. Find more Eastern Iowa farmers markets at our online database.