It seems athletes aren't the only ones in love with the new turf field – some dog owners have taken to using the enclosed field as their own personal dog pen. The only problem? Dogs aren't allowed inside the Carcieri Field complex because they could damage the turf and void the warranty, school officials say.

During Tuesday night's School Committee meeting, resident Trisha Colgan said she was on the field recently while a man was there working out with kettlebells and playing fetch with his dog.

Colgan said she told the man dogs weren't allowed on the field but he told her to mind her own business.

The issue, according to School Committeeman Jack Sommer, isn't just about owners who fail to clean up after their dogs, although that obviously can be messy.

"It could cause damage and could invalidate the warranty," Sommer said. The turf is actually like a giant carpet that sits on top of the ground. The field was the most costly part of the high school fields project undertaken in 2009, and the most controversial. Questions about drainage problems that resulted in litigation caused it to remain off-limits for a year beyond its completion.

There is a "No Dogs" sign on the fence outside the field, but people just haven't gotten the message, Colgan said. Sommer said officials are talking to the Town Council about imposing fines on those who take their dogs on the field.

"There's plenty of grass to run around on at the high school," he said. Just stay off the turf.