This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, June 4, 2013: Last week the Pride St. Louis board of directors made what may have been its most controversial policy decision to date: No pets, except for service animals, at the June 29-30 event. The familiar site of dogs sporting rainbow bandanas will be missing from this summer’s St. Louis PrideFest.
This policy has pet lovers squaring off. The debate is almost entirely focused on dogs, of course. Few dare to shepherd an obstinate cat through the throng of people and baby strollers, although veterinarian Steve Brammeier has "seen a snake or two" at PrideFest over the years.
The rule is intended to protect the safety of pets, according to Brammeier, many dog lovers and the Pride St. Louis board. The factors the board said went into its decision include: typically high temperatures on festival days, reports of burnt paw pads, the possibility of exposing healthy pets to unvaccinated ones, and the stress of large crowds and loud music.
Pat Howard, a marketing professional who’s on the board, has two dogs of his own. He believes an overall ban, rather than a set of guidelines for pet safety, is the best solution.
"It’s hard to monitor people and whether they’re being responsible for their pets," Howard said.
Pet bans not unusual
Other cities also ban pets from their Pride celebrations, including Indianapolis, Palm Springs and Sacramento, Howard said. Some other St. Louis festivals, including the Taste of St. Louis, also forbid pets.
For the first time, PrideFest is being held on the same grounds as The Taste, at the downtown Soldiers' Memorial. The move from Tower Grove Park did not lead to the pet ban, however. It’s a change the Pride organization has contemplated for many years. No particular incident prompted the policy, according to Howard.
Not returning to PrideFest
"It’s a proactive decision," Howard said.
The PrideFest area will be surrounded by low, bike-rack barriers. Volunteers stationed at festival entrance points will inform those with pets about the new rule.
Pets are also not allowed to walk in Sunday’s Pride Parade, although they may ride on floats, if they have access to water. Parade watchers are discouraged from bringing pets, but pets are not banned.
Within minutes of Friday’s announcement, debate commenced on Pride St. Louis’ Facebook page. Supporters included one poster who confessed: "I am glad to see dogs banned. I don't like dogs."
Education, collaboration?
Much of the backlash against the ruling focused on choice. Kevin Hill, who heads an organization for service dog training as well as a ferret-rescue group, extrapolated the issue to include a number of scenarios: banning shirtlessness to prevent skin cancer, forbidding alcohol due to alcohol abuse, and turning away children and those with medical issues because of the heat.
Hill will be at PrideFest, but under protest.
"I have a service dog and we will attend the parade and might go to the fest but I will not support this policy," Hill responded to a Public Insight Network query.
Hill also expressed concern about pet merchandise vendors who've already committed to paying for a PrideFest booth.
"I'll be interested in how many pet vendors pull out next year," Hill said.
Facebook posters including Connie Lesch of Spanish Lake would rather the Pride board establish an education campaign about keeping dogs safe instead of imposing a ban. She wondered whether this kind of blanket decision fits with the mission of Pride St. Louis: "How is banning something like this understanding, tolerant or educational?" Lesch wrote.
In an online chat with the Beacon, Lesch elaborated about how the decision will affect her.
"It has made me question if I’m going. I haven’t decided yet," she said.
Veterinarian and PrideFest-goer Brammeier is also a believer in educating people about their pets but still sees wisdom in a ban.
"Whether banning dogs is the solution, I don’t know. But I don’t think it’s inappropriate to ban them," Brammeier said.
It’s possible, but far from certain, that the ban could be lifted next year or in the future. This year, the conversation came too late to partner with a pet organization to set up a dedicated pet area at PrideFest. But Howard said the board will be receptive to offers of help.
"We’re definitely open to it," Howard said. "Pride is an all-volunteer organization and we’d be very happy if someone wants to take care of that."
