A City Council hearing on animal control enforcement surfaced concerns that off-leash dogs have repeatedly disrupted a girls' softball team's games at McConnell Park.

BOSTON --

YOUTH LEAGUES -- At a July 30 hearing of the Council's Committee on City Services, City Councilor Aaron Murphy raised what he called "one particular concerning incident:" the girls' softball team at McConnell Park, where "often games had to be stopped in interruptions because dogs were running into, you know, the middle of their game." The hearing, chaired by Councilor Ed Flynn on docket 0811, reviewed leash law compliance and dog licensing citywide. Murphy said the situation is "a balance" between dog owners seeking more off-leash space and other park users, including youth sports teams, and noted that residents have separately requested more dedicated dog parks through the city's participatory budgeting process.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.