That's not to say the 350 acres of recreation area within the city's jurisdiction will go to the dogs. Upon the advice of a Logan City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, canines will be invited to a limited number of the city's 20-plus parks - only where signs will be posted.

"We're not automatically throwing open the parks to every dog and every animal without a leash," said Councilwoman Tami Pyfer. "We're basically making what we're already doing legal."

Indeed, Councilman Stephen Thompson said many of Logan's citizens are unaware of the city's "very strict ordinance" prohibiting dogs in all of the parks.

Logan City Parks and Recreation Director Russ Akina said Logan's "No Dogs Allowed" policy was not unique in Utah, citing similar prohibitions in Taylorsville and Salt Lake City.

The main problem with this Cache Valley city's ban on canines is that it has been misunderstood.

"Some people think it's OK to bring their dogs into places where there are no picnic tables," Akina said. "Technically speaking, though, there are no dogs allowed anywhere."

Akina said he wasn't going to take sides on the issue that boils down to "citizen safety and pet-owner care-taking," but he was supportive of the move to clarify the ordinance so it "will work and can be enforced."

Lee Edwards, Logan City prosecuting attorney, said the new ordinance "is a lot better than the existing law," which fails to clearly define what a park is.

"Everyone will be held more accountable if everyone knows what the laws are and they can follow them," Edwards said.

The City Council decided to scratch the ordinance language that would have allowed leashed dogs at public assemblies after Logan City Animal Control Officer Karen Bontems spoke adamantly against "inviting them to these situations."

"I think that, as a dog owner and as an animal control officer, this [biting] is a dog's nature. I don't know why dogs bite," Bontems said. "It's only my opinion. I'll enforce whatever you guys decide."

abrunson@sltrib.com