Residents raise concerns over off-leash dogs
Resident Erin Lawler addressed the dais, saying she has increasing problems with dogs when taking her two small children to parks such as Joe Dancer, which she described as an “unofficial dog park.”
“We’ve just been having a lot of increased run-in with off-leash dogs in our parks,” she said. “Every time we show up somebody has their dog off leash running through the park or they’re showing up to let them off (leash) to play ball in areas that are clearly marked no off-leash dogs.”
Lawler submitted testimony signed by 42 other residents citing similar issues. The submittal included polling among the group that showed 75% encountered an off-leash dog either daily or weekly in city parks and 86% said off-leash dogs are a growing issue.
“I’ve learned it’s a hot topic,” Lawler said of her conversations with other residents.
Comments from the submittal include complaints about an unleashed dog attacking another at Discovery Meadows Park, fears for the safety of service dogs and dogs urinating or defecating on sports fields.
“Those testimonies are really eye opening,” she said.
Lawler told the dais she is looking for proactive solutions to the problem.
“I think there is definitely a proactive way that we can be cleaning up the neighborhood and kind of encouraging people to police themselves,” she said. “Maybe messaging from the city that we’re going to be working on this or cracking down on this or possibly more presence of enforcement officers, so that people can see, ‘I actually have accountability in this area.’”
Lawler said her survey received 10 additional responses the day of her testimony.
Councilors did not weigh in on the testimony as is city policy during public comment.
Comments
Bill B
Interesting. We take our dog to Joe Dancer several times a week and I have yet to see a dog that is unfriendly or bothers anyone who doesn't want to be bothered. Suggest you find something else of value to complain about.
NJINILNCCAOR
Off leash dogs is definitely becoming a problem at most parks, including Joe Dancer.
Time to crack down.
CC
Bill B: I don't believe unfriendly dogs is the issue here. Shall we wait until there is one? Our city like most have ordinances stating if dogs are off leash in a public park they are considered dogs at large. I suppose parking in handicapped spots is ok for you when the person isn't handicapped? Not stopping for stop signs or running red lights? Speeding, theft, trespassing, just because it hasn't affected you. And just because this is not of value to you, it is to 43 plus people so let them have their say and maybe find another something to complain about yourself!
BC
Bill B: May I suggest you start using a seeing eye dog if you can't or haven't seen unfriendly dogs. My dog was unpredictable around other dogs, and usually unfriendly (only toward dogs, never people). I kept her on a leash at all times. The only time we ever had an issue was with people who let their "friendly" dogs off leash. It never failed that those "friendly" dogs would run up to my on-leash, not-friendly dog, and we always got the blame for the tangle that ensued.
It's definitely an issue. If you continue to feel the need to judge the rest of the world by only your experiences, i.e. "Suggest you find something else of value to complain about", then I feel sorry for the people in your life.
Lulu
If you want you allow your dog freedom to roam unfettered, take him to the dog park.
Otherwise, quit putting others at risk because you don't feel the rules apply to you.
Lulu
"to allow."