Since our best friends cant go to the gym, they must continue to get their much needed exercise and socialization. They can only get this by being permitted to run off leash in the park
I support this petition because off leash time is an important part of keeping your dog healthy, happy and well adjusted. The dog owners who live in the Juniper Park area should be allowed the same privileges that every other tax payer in their area has, which is time in the park with their family. Dogs are a part of our families and we need to be able to keep them exercised and healthy. As long as dog owners are acting responsibly, there should be no concern for issues regarding health/sanitation or safety. We don't leash our children but must be vigilant that they are acting in a safe and respectful manner toward others... this is the same responsiblity we have as dog owners and as long as this is observed, there should be no reason why we can't enjoy the parks as well as any other tax paying citizen.
A healthy and happy dog requires exercise. Responsible owners take the time and care to exercise their dogs. The park should be for EVERYONE to share and part-time off leash hours accomplishes this goal.
While the Juniper Park Neighborhood may be within their bounds to represent their own opinions, this is a matter of some representatives of one neighborhood not wanting a dog run, and in no way should bind the entire rest of the city.
Dogs need space just as people do. I fully support this petition having been on both sides of the fence with the leash issue. Socialization and play time is a reward for good behavior. Responsible owners are the ones who deserve this law. We are the ones who care enough to sign this petition and take good care of our dogs, thus keeping them friendly & kind.
With all due respect, it is a municipal and bureaucratic disgrace that this issue has creeped as far as it has. The vast majority of dogs, based on my personal experience over the past several years, are happier, healthier and more loving than they would otherwise be precisely because their owners can give them that burst of exercise to start the day. We need it - and our dogs are no different. This is an issue that should be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis - what good does banning all off-leash time for our pets solve? Please - I beg you - don't be stupid and alter a good working status quo. if anything, let's go ahead a formalize the present wink-wink that exists with regard to the pre-9 AM off-leash standard, by making that a law rather than a Parks Dept. concession. Let's stop putting human beings first ... all the time. Dogs are the best!
Please do not take away the one thing that so many people enjoy doing with their dogs! This type of socialization among dogs is necessary for them to become a good citizen in any city. Keeping a dog confined only leads to aggression and destructive behavior. They need to have an outlet for their energy. It is not a right to own a dog, it is a privilage! Let good pet owners reward their dogs for being good.
I support this petition because dogs need the opportunity to run in open spaces and get the excercise and socialization skills needed for their health, safety, and welfare. Dog runs alone are not always appropriate or healthy solutions.
People with different interests must share the public parks. The 9pm - 9am off leash custom has proved to be one of the most successful ways for dog-owners and non-owners to share the same space. It should now be codifed in law.
I support this petition. NYC is a pet friendly city and a huge populatin of dog owners. Please do not take away a vital part of a well adjusted happy dog. We are attempting to make NYC a no kill city and this initiative only creates less socialized and less exercised dog.
I support this petition. The city should put its energy into enforcing the pooper scooper laws and not into promoting laws that increase the likelihood of less socialized and therefore more aggressive dogs.
Why is it so difficult for dogs and humans to exist in major cities. It is our duty to protect their freedom. Off leash is a MUST for a peaceful co-existance. Until we provide better, larger, cleaner dog runs, I support off leash!
As a professional trainer and behavior consultant in the city, I'm very aware of the mental and physical benefits of off-leash time in Central Park. I would predict a large increase in behavior problems, including aggression, should off-leash time be outlawed in NYC parks.
Happy, relaxed, well socialised dogs reduce the likelhood of aggression to other dogs & people. Dog runs are not the answer,the size limitation & overercrowding to not encourge relaxed dogs. Thf offleash period is a vital aspect of New York City life.
I support this petition because the current Offleash Policy in NYC has helped create an all-time record low rate of dog-related incidents. Well socialized and exercised dogs are the best, healthiest, least aggressive kind of dogs.
This petition will serve to continue the successful socialization process of dogs AND their owners. It also facilitates a safer park environment for New Yorkers regardless of dog ownership.
My puppy needs somewhere to run around safely and release energy. In addition, the dog owners are often the only people in the park with the scattered runners before 9am. I am sure the runners would not be as safe without us there.
The unwritten rule, allowing dogs off lease in the parks, before 9am in the morning and after 9pm in the evening, encourages dog owners to visit parks during these somewhat sketchy predawn and post dusk periods. The presence of the dog owners, with their dogs, in the parks during these periods makes the parks safer. The dog owners presence encourages other city residents to feel more comfortable in the parks during off-peak hours, and discourages unsaviory types from illegal activities. Should dog owners be required to keep dogs on lease in the parks during these "dark" hours, I am sure that they would be as frequent a presence in the parks at night.
