Off leash time with my dog is one of the great joys of urban living. I invested time and money in training when my 10 year old was a puppy so he could enjoy this precious freedom for the rest of his life. Perhaps consequences for irresponsible owners who do not have proper control of their dogs might be considered to address concerns, but please don't take this joyous privilege away that also increases safety in our parks for everyone.
Because the presence of dogowners and their dogs offers a socially humanizing experience in what can often be a cold city. The responsibility of these dog owners to clean up and "police" themselves is impressive and should be seen in other areas of city life.
I was in Riverside Park at about 9:30pm one night when a young scared guy ran up to me. He said he was almost mugged and that when he saw me with my dogs he immediately sought us out for protection. We all walked out of the park together. I wouldn't have been there in the first place if my dogs couldn't be off leash.
We all should be able to share and enjoy the parks whether with our children or our animals. Generalizations and judgements should not be made based on the actions of a few irresponsible pet owners. When complaints are filed against these owners, appropriate action should be taken BEFORE accidents happen.
The opponents of the off-leash rights are being frivolous in their abuse of municipal resources. They clearly represent a minorty and have distorted many facts to their cause. Humans, not canines, are to blame for the lion's share of violence and pollution in our parks. The opponents also demonstrate an unwillingness to SHARE our mutually owned resources in a rational way- this makes them TOO SELFISH TO LIVE IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY! THEY NEED TO MOVE TO A GATED COMMUNITY or the likes.- Thank you.
Every dog owner I have encountered during off leash hours are very responsible and respectful of others in the park. This rul creates a safer park during off peak hours as it increases the number of people and makes the park enjoyable for all.
9pm to 9am are perfect hours to have our dog run around freely. We always monitor his activities, and clean up his mess. This law suit to end this off leash rule, is ridicilous. The same people who are against this, should focus on much more important issues in our parks.
Off-leash hours make the parks safer during hours that the park would otherwise be empty except for a few joggers. And dogs have rights too; this world was not created only for humans. I don't see anyone enforcing no barbecue rules in the Parks or asking to see permits for large groups over 25. If dog walkers have to tolerate the depredations of other park users, then at least be a little even handed in giving dogs and their owners a bit of leeway.
I support this position. Dogs have been a part of man's landscape for 10,000 years when man first invited the wolf into their lives and offered them food in exchange for protection. There is no other animal that has as special relationship with man as the dog. There are more stories of loyalty and protection of humans by dogs than any other animal. People all over the world love dogs and keep them as pets. I do not understand why this group is looking to go against thousands of years of history. Of course they will find some horror stories. That would be like saying that children should no longer be allowed in the playground because occasionally one will hit another child. I'm sure any person who has a brain will look at the number of problems against the vast majority of people who train their dogs properly.
I support this petition because there is nothing better than having people dog owners and their friends and children interacting in a friendly atmosphere. I've been in the Park Slope area for the past 44 years and were a dog owner most of the time. I gained friends or inherited them through my Dad who has walked our dogs for all those years. He is gone now but I know it would have "killed" him to hear that our canine friends no longer had a time to run off leash. In the 40 plus years I have not heard a one story of a dog attacking a person in our park.
I no longer have a dog but support off-leash hours for responsible dog owners. Not only do dogs get time to socialize, but permitting dogs off lease in brings hundreds of people to the park in hours when parks have little attendance, enhancing security. Permitting off leash hours improves the quality of life of humans as well as dogs.
I support this petition because as a native of Park Slope Brooklyn, I recall the times when it was extremely unsafe to walk through Prospect Park. The dog walkers have brought safety to this park through their presence. As an owner of two dogs, the park provides healthy excercise and socialization not only for our pets, (in my case-I think of my dogs as children) but for the humans as well. This in turns lends itself to addressing the safety issues in the Park because the presence of dog walkers surely helps curtail criminal activity.
Off leash hours are good for parks, for dogs, and for people of all kinds -- dog owners or not. Off-leash hours extend the hours that the park is heavily used, provide a constituency of people (dog owners)who care -- who make the parks safer and cleaner for other users.
I moved to Park Slope soleley because of the off-leash times in Prospect park. Critically important factor for my place of habitation. Have had nothing but positive experiences with dog-owners and non-dog-owners alike. Dog owners are very responsible, we don't take this priveledge for granted - and when there's an idiot owner not following the rules or not being courteous, the other dog owners speak up and put pressure on. Dog runs are not an option - they are too small, and create greater atmospheres of tension between both people and dogs. They do not provide proper exercise for bigger dogs. We early morning walkers mind our own business, and keep the park safe for others. Let us keep our small freedom!
I support this petition because Dogs need to be socialized with other dogs with
Off-leash time. The socialization of dogs at a young age is critical for their development and I think that taking away these dog parks could have the opposite affect. I think it could cause more problems since dogs will not have the proper opportunity for socialization, so they may not get along with other dogs when seen in the park on a leash. Not to mention these dog runs are invaluable for the dog owners since it is great benefit to have their dogs get good exercise which also helps keep them be more calm and comfortable at home. Also it should be noted that almost all of the people that go to the dog parks are hard working tax payers so why shouldn't they have a place that benefits their life
I support this petition because dogs are extremely important companions to a great number of New Yorkers. This is a wonderful place to raise a dog precisely because the parks are available to exercise them. It works well to have large areas designated for off-leash rights at certain times of the day. This works beautifully in Riverside Park. The presence of dogs there during the off-leash hours before 9 a.m. help keep the park safe for early morning runners. It is inconcievable that all these dogs could be exercised all at once in the tiny run available. I urge the city to change its rules to permit off-leash rights in designated large areas until 9 a.m.
Dogs need off-leash time and dog owners have rights too. We have to be responsible but for those who are not, revoking off-leash rights is not going to stop them from being a problem. Revoking off-leash time is the wrong solution for the perceived problem. Let's not punish our dogs a result of all of this either. They add so much to our lives and our city boroughs.
