Baldwin ? Don’t take your dogs to the annual Maple Leaf Festival. If you do, the penalty could be a bite.

That’s the message delivered this week by Baldwin City Council members, who agreed to pass a law because a dog bit a young girl in the face at last year’s festival.

“The safety committee has been pondering this for some time,” said City Administrator Jeff Dingman. “It started as ‘a no dogs at Maple Leaf’ but has changed into (a ban on) all animals at all events.”

Tony Brown, a City Council member who heads the safety committee, said the measure is necessary, although he is concerned about its effects on personal rights.

“I have mixed feelings on this,” Brown said. “Regulation of this is going to be difficult.”

There are still a few details of the law to be worked out, including the designation between public and private places.

“I think this is a great idea,” said Council Member Doyle Jardon. “I love dogs and cats, but in their place. With 3,000 people downtown, it isn’t (the place).”

The annual festival is the third full weekend in October – Oct. 20-21 this year.

Nancy Brown, a member of the festival’s safety committee who did most of the work on the new law, noted the ban will be in effect only during events.

“It’s not like you can’t let your dog out,” she said.

Violating the law – which the council is slated to take final action on Aug. 6 – carries punishment of up to a month in jail or a $500 fine. But Dingman said that would be up to the municipal judge’s discretion.

The law also allows for animals to participate in some events, such as the parade. But once the parade is over, animals must be removed from the area. Also, the annual petting zoo falls outside the new law’s reach.