Board members for the santa cruz county animal shelter have recommended loosening restrictions for off-leash dogs on county beaches. Residents in the live oak area spurred the effort, collecting 1-thousand signatures urging the allowance. Board members limited their endorsement of the proposal. They voted unanimously to recommend creating more off-leash areas with fences. Board members also recommended leaving the final decisions on such matters to local governing bodies. Creating more off-leash zones could require land-use changes, as well as environmental impact reports.
