The Bowser Ban

Freewheeling, fun-loving Venice Beach has lost another of its beloved freedoms--the freedom to strut the boardwalk with your schnauzer, Shih Tzu or pit bull.

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted to ban dogs from the beachfront promenade on summer weekends and holidays, saying dogs are biting tourists, discouraging shoppers and terrorizing children.

If signed by Mayor Richard Riordan, the ban will begin this weekend, with dog owners first being warned, then ticketed, if they bring Bowser to the boardwalk between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Supporters of the canine prohibition said it will promote public safety and tourism, while detractors said it is just the latest assault on Venice’s prized sense of laissez faire.

The City Council in April banned unlicensed street vending, and it previously approved a refurbishing of the walkway, which many locals said will be “too upscale” and desecrate their favorite hangout.

The council unanimously approved the dog law after reports by the Los Angeles Police Department of about 150 dog bites and other attacks in 1997.

“On late weekend afternoons, the gang members come down and have their pit bulls fight each other,” said Capt. Alan Kerstein, commander of the Police Department’s Pacific Division. “It creates an intimidating environment for other people.”

Kerstein said his officers have tried to discourage aggressive dog owners and their pets by enforcing leash, license and other laws, but he said problems have persisted.

One young woman was bitten on the chest last summer by a pit bull, and another pit bull attacked a police horse, injuring both the horse and its rider.

Venice-area City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter proposed the ban, winning support from several animal rights activists, who attended Wednesday’s council session.

Melya Kaplan of Venice Animal Allies said that dogs will benefit from the prohibition as much as humans. She called the boardwalk, with up to 75,000 visitors a day, too hot and too crowded for pets. “Dogs have no place on the boardwalk under conditions like that,” Kaplan said.

The law leaves enough hours in the morning and evening for residents and others to continue to walk their dogs, Galanter said. She noted that a leash-free park is open to dogs two blocks from the beach.

But on Sunday afternoons, in particular, some dog owners want a more prominent showcase for their pets. The crowded boardwalk provides it.

“I guess it’s a self-esteem thing or something,” said one boardwalk vendor, Steven Gutin, who said a dog ban on Sunday, at least, seems like a good idea.

But most dog owners in Venice said Wednesday they should not be punished for the sins of the few.

“There is no question, they have some major losers come down here on the weekend who have vicious dogs,” said Benjamin Schonbrun, a lawyer who has his office on the boardwalk. “But why should they abridge the rights of the responsible public because of the behavior of a few cretins?”

Schonbrun said he would consider suing to overturn the law if he is ticketed for walking his two chows, Beast and Baby.