SAN DIEGO — The Pacific Beach Town Council heard arguments for and against doing away with a decades-long dog walking ban on boardwalks.
It comes after a months-long effort from a group of San Diegans fighting to lift dog walking hour restrictions.
The Town Council heard from dozens of people – the majority in favor of doing away with the restrictions.
“This is a law that has to change, it's been around for 50 years," said San Diegan, Jeffery Purchin.
Efforts to lift dog walking hour restrictions along Mission Bay and other areas of the county have stalled for San Diegans pushing for changes.
The Pacific Beach Town Council voted to table the item until it hears more from the city’s Park and Recreations Department and the Port of San Diego, where there are no dog walking hour restrictions.
Currently, dogs are not allowed on boardwalks, park areas, or along the shoreline between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The City of San Diego says the ban is in place to protect public health and ensure city shoreline areas are safe and accessible for all – but dog owners argue the restrictions force them to walk their dogs on less traversed spaces that are often poorly lit, making it a safety hazard.
“It’s a lot more dangerous after 6 o’clock," said Purchin.
Purchin and Nick Cifranic began advocating for changes last year. They, and thousands of other San Diegans, want the city to do away with the restrictions and approve a 24/7 dog-friendly policy.
“We should have the right to do that its unbelievable we get penalized. A lot of people want this," he said.
The pair started an online petition and were able to get more than 5,200 signatures.
“It really is overwhelming support across the board really," said Cifranic.
The board also heard from people opposed lifting the restrictions sighting overcrowding and safety concerns.
"If you opt to lift restrictions entirely, not only will you eliminate or reduce access for the most vulnerable In our community, you’ll find that you’ll turn Mission Bay into an off-leash dog park," said one San Diegan.
Those who want to see the city lift the restrictions argue that other major city parks have dog friendly policies, including Balboa Park, where people can walk leashed dogs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Mission Bay park is one of the only places in San Diego where you can't have a dog so, really bizarre considering all these other places you can," said Cifranic.
Purchin and those wanting the city to lift the restrictions need the support of one planning council in order to bring the measure to the San Diego city council.
He says he’s ready to continue fighting until the ban is lifted.
WATCH RELATED: Two San Diegans pushing to change dog walking hours along Mission Bay boardwalk