For the most part, dogs and dog owners make our parks safer during low use times, not more dangerous. We mean extra legitimate traffic at these down times.
The parks of for all New Yorkers to responsibly enjoy. While acknowleging that a few dog owners have created problems with their off leash dogs, the vast majority of owners are responsible for their dogs and the parks that their dogs play in. Additionally, off leash times results in dogs that are better socialized in their interactions with other dogs and humans.
there are 12 hours of daylight which dogs must be on the leash. There are, however, two or three which dogs are currently aloud to be off-leash. If you don't support the off-leash policy, simply go between 9AM and 9PM and stop complaining.
dog owners and their dogs are among the largest user groups of many NYC parks, especially during hours when the parks would otherwise be empty. Abolishing off-leash hours is unnecessary, and would eliminate a major quality of life element and community building structure for many thousands of New Yorkers, both human and canine.
I support this petition because as a dog owner who has had my dog off leash in the park I find that there is a thriving "dog community" that cares deeply about the park and values the equitable use of the park by both dogs and humans. As a group and individually I see people who supervise their dogs and uphold the standards for behavior and cleanliness in the park. Not only do we look out for our own dogs but for others as well. An exerised dog is a happy, social dog that is a contributor to our quality of life and poses no threat to either people or other dogs.
To make this integral part of New York life illegal would serve no good purpose and would not improve anything. Rather it would deteriorate relationships between dog owners and the city and make for adversity. It would also make make it harder to have a dog and harder for that dog to have a good life. Surely the park is big enough for both humans and dogs. Keep in mind that there are specific places for dogs to be off leash and so it is not as if dogs run wild without any supervision.
People have the right to own dogs. An exercised dog is a happy, healthy, and mostly behaviorally problem-free dog. What more do you need to know to keep this law in effect?
My dog is healthier and happier because of the exercise she gets every day in Prospect Park. Rescued from a kill shelter, she lives a great life now in the heart of the city, and off leash is a big part of it.
