August 15, 2007

Legislation to Ban Pets in Toledo City Cars After Mayor Left Dog in Auto

TOLEDO, OH – Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s recently left his dog locked inside a parked car, leading to a city councilman proposing legislation outlawing pets from city vehicles, according to the Toledo Blade newspaper.

Councilman Frank Szollosi asked Clerk of Council Jerry Dendinger to find where it would be appropriate in the city code to add a law prohibiting pets from vehicles owned or leased by the city.

Szollosi was responding to reports that Finkbeiner locked his yellow Lab, Scout, inside his city-leased GMC Envoy last Friday for about 45 minutes while going to receive massage therapy for an Achilles tendon injury. The mayor parked outside of the Westgate Building in West Toledo in a handicapped parking spot and was given a $100 ticket.

He said he parked in that spot because it was in the shade and would be better for the dog, and also said he left his back windows open, according to the Toledo Blade.

Szollosi said he would be willing to compromise by including the word “unattended” into his new piece of legislation.