Should dogs be allowed in municipal parks? According to The American Humane Association, there are 70-78 million dogs in the United States. Fifty-six percent of them are obese.

But Bethlehem Township Commissioners are unwilling to relax their ban. In April, Karen Berry argued without success that dogs should be allowed at Housenick Park. At the board's May 5 meeting, Jim Cieslak failed too. He asked for some leeway on walking dogs through the community park.

"How can I walk my dog from Pheasant Court to the industrial park without going through the township park?" he asked, noting that he walks along the treeline and away from athletic fields. He's received several warnings from police officers over the years, although he's never been cited.

"We can't tell police not to stop you," responded President Martin Zawarski. Commissioner Michael Hudak suggested that Cieslak walk his dog at St. Luke's Hospital, which is where he sometimes walks his.

"I'm a responsible dog owner," stated Cieslak, producing one of the blue poop bags he carries with him at all times for his pit bull mix Jaxson. "He's the most friendly dog you'd ever want to meet," Cieslak assured everyone.

Though commissioners were unsympathetic, Cieslak pledged to continue.

"I'm going to walk my dog," he insisted, in an act of both civil and canine disobedience.

Police Chief Dan Pancoast, who also attended the meeting, said later that the last thing any officer wants to do is to cite a dog owner. Cieslak himself conceded that the same officer has given him a warning twice instead of citing him.