ITHACA, N.Y. -- Beginning Sept. 15 Cornell University will bar all pets from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' research farmland in Varna to reduce damage to crops and to improve health and safety for workers at the farm, pet owners and pets themselves.

The farmland, which extends from Route 366 to the south side of Fall Creek, is accessed by an unpaved road about halfway between the Freese Road intersection of Route 366 and the railroad bridge over that highway. Local police will increase patrols in the area and, at first, will issue warnings and then tickets to repeat offenders when the pet ban takes effect Sept. 15.

Passive recreation, such as walking, still will be allowed on the Cornell land, which borders part of the "Monkey Run" section of Fall Creek. But pets of any kind -- either on leashes or off leashes -- are now prohibited.

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