With beautiful Blackstone Valley scenery, a rich cultural history and friendly, welcoming neighbors, Grafton, Massachusetts is a wonderful place to live. The people of Grafton appreciate and protect open land and the diverse recreational activities that it affords such as boating, hiking, biking, soccer, softball, fishing, cross-country skiing, and skateboarding among others. 
 
The Community and Dogs
With so many outdoor activities, you may think that all of our communities’ needs are being met; however, one recreational activity is sorely missed.  Residents who include dogs in their families are deprived of open land to freely exercise, play and recreate with their dogs and with other families and their dogs. This constituency represents 20-25% of Grafton’s households.
 
The Law
Grafton’s by-laws require any dog on public land to be restrained on a six-foot leash unless that dog is hunting or is being trained to hunt.  This policy unfairly sanctions one off-leash activity while prohibiting every other. In order to be the best stewards of their pets’ welfare and happiness, many responsible dog owners illegally let their dogs run free in “de-facto” off-leash areas.  This practice has lead to conflict in many towns with similar circumstances.
 
Is there a sollution? YES! Click Here!

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