Off-leash times should be preserved and extended. Many more people benefit from a city of happy and healthy pets than just the pet owners, imho. Dogs lend a special character and, perhaps ironically, help to "humanize" the city. Including them more fully is not that hard to do.
I fully support this effort and agree with the proposal to strengthen the responsibilities of all dog owners using the parks. It is through responsible dog ownership that the plan to secure off-leash hours can work for everyone.
NYC dogs are some of the happiest dogs on the planet because they get more attention and play time from their beloved owners who have places like NYC parks to take them to play and socialize with other dogs and people instead of just letting them try to enterain themselves on their own in a suburban backyard.
A tired dog is a happy dog. A tired and happy dog is a good dog! Thanks for allowing NY dogs and the humans who love them this invaluable park access. We are happy to keep the park clean in return, and happy that our daily presence there makes the park safer for everyone.
The off-leash "law" is important for the physical and mental health of a dog, as well as the owner. Dogs need exercise and they need to socialize. This makes them calm and friendly towards people and other dogs. Additionally, dog owners help keep the parks safe, as they are in the park at all hours of the day and night giving their dogs exercise, as well as their necessary walks. Taking away off-leash laws would take some dogwalkers out of the park, and make it less safe.
Please save the off-leash hours....our dogs desperately need this courtesy...and need it to be legalized. If the city had enough dog runs (and large enough dog runs), and if Central Park had a few dog runs, we might not need the off-leash time, but with inadequate play space for dogs, the off-leash hours are vital. Thanks!
My two little dogs and I benefit greatly from off-leash hours and I believe ALL parks should offer them. Dogs cannot get a healthy amount of exercise and socialization restrained on a 6-foot leash. The closest dog run to my home is very dirty, often has overly aggressive dogs, and the pebbles are so sharp they cut my little dogs' feet. Being able to run on the grass in a quiet corner of a park is healthy for both my pups and myself. Additionally, this is a great time to bond with other involved community members. My pups get along with humans and animals alike, and we always clean up after ourselves. By spending this time in the park, dog owners also provide a vital service of deterring crimes. It is a win-win policy for all of us.
Allowing dogs off leash in city parks from late at night through the morning is a judicious and prudent way of encouraging better socialization and health for the dogs of New York. The benefits are too many to mention.
I strongly support off-leash hours as furthering the public interest in that the exercise and socialization afforded the dogs makes them healthier and less likely to act aggressively. The current hours (9-9) are a fair compromise between dog owners and park users who prefer not to encounter free-running dogs.
Cooper was eating my shoes, DVDs and garbage until he started going on his morning and nightly off-leash runs in the park. He needs that time to be a good dog! Keep Off Leash hours!
