Q. Park power play: In my neighborhood there is a sadly neglected park. Despite signs forbidding dogs to be off-leash, there are often dogs running around, and this has deterred parents from bringing kids. One of my neighbors (somewhat eccentric, in that I know he is quite wealthy, but this is a very modest neighborhood) wants to improve the park and offered to the city parks department to privately fund some maintenance and the replacement of a crumbling swing set with a big, new playscape—with a condition. He’ll do it if he sees evidence of the city enforcing the leash law there. No tickets, no donation. The city has recently started giving out tickets, and some other neighbors have moaned about it to me. Should I keep quiet about what I know about the cause? I want to see the park improved. On the other hand, I feel a bit deceitful for keeping quiet instead of arguing my (and the neighbor’s) case.
A: I’m not sure what speaking up would accomplish. If your city has leash laws, your neighbors could hardly argue in a public forum that they shouldn’t be enforced. “Leave the park as it is, please, and go back to looking the other way when I let Miffles off the leash.” All they could do is direct their anger at a specific person. Maybe you and your moaning neighbors could advocate for a designated dog run within the park, but I don’t see the upside in telling everyone the man who’s responsible for reseeding the park’s lawn and decontaminating the fountains is also the reason they can no longer flout leash laws with impunity.
I should have put people who don't obey leash laws on my pet peeve list
Yes!
The neighbor of my parents let their dogs run loose in his front yard. (no electric fence) Other neighbors can't walk their dogs (on leashes) because his dog will attack them. My parents won't let the boys ride their scooters for fear of them getting attacked. Call animal control, I say, but animal control says they have to catch him in the act. Well.....????
I have been known to carry a large stick with me on walks. When I see a dog approaching, I'll raise it to defend myself. Mutt owners are quick to retrieve their beasts and neighbors have learned it's "not" okay.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Why can't they let their dogs run around their own backyards? Why do they need to bring them to a park, where they could get in fights with other dogs? Or endanger others? I understand it's fun to bring your dog along with you on walks, but keep them on leashes. If you want them to run free, do it on your own property. Don't own/rent property? Don't own a dog.
-- Edited by FNW on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 01:54:46 PM
I can see the need for dog parks. Not everyone has a fenced back yard. They need a place for Fido to play.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Z has had special 'dog park' shots. I think it's just kennel cough that is the concern. But he's well vaccinated and checked often for worms. Especially since the lake at the dog park is disgusting.
I once called Animal Control on our neighbors. I was concerned because they let their little terrier run free & I would see him blocks away from their house at night, just trotting in the middle of the street.
Plus, he gave our dogs the ONLY case of fleas they have ever had. It cost us HUNDREDS of dollars to treat them.
I think dog parks are great, with the right dogs. People should know whether or not their dog is socialized well enough for a dog park, but of course you have the dog owners who think their dogs can do no wrong.
__________________
Was it a bad day?
Or was it a bad five minutes that you milked all day?
