Should Dogs be Allowed at CR Farmer's Market?

The Downtown District is making adjustments to accommodate swelling crowds at Cedar Rapids' downtown farmers' market. The next one is Saturday. The last one on July 3 drew a record 15,000 people. I was one of them.

Local, and vocal, animal welfare advocate Audrey Rahn urged the City Council last night to make another adjustment - ban dogs from the market.

Rahn worries that dogs are getting overheated, not to mention all that paw-searing asphalt/concrete they walk on. It's too crowded, she contends, and the dogs might get into food that they shouldn't.

But are they really willing to wait in a line that long for a breakfast burrito?

"I just don't understand why people think that's a great place to take their animals," Rahn told the council during public comment time. The council seemed inclined to let sleeping dogs lie, and go to the market.

We don't take our family dog to the market. She's cranky and nervous and would not handle it well. I think most dog owners know their dogs and whether they'll be OK with the crowds, other dogs etc.

We've been at all but one market and have never seen any dog-related difficulties. In fact, my daughters' favorite market activity is to ask owners if they can pet their dogs, especially pugs. They'd be pretty bummed if dogs were banned from the market.

I think this is no place for the long paw of government to reach in and yank freedom's leash. I say the market dogs are OK.

But I'd like to hear what you think.