It has been said that to love a pet humanizes a person. I have to agree. It adds a dimension to the ability to give and receive love, teaches one about unconditional love, loyalty, patience, perseverence--all laudable "human" qualities. This petition, and the rights it pleads for, are essentailly about New Yorkers' ability to love parks from a point of view not their own, but of another creature. Humans share this city's various environments with other creatures. We sterilize our workplaces, sterilize our food markets and eateries, sterilize our transit systems and public buildings, but we must not wish to sterilize a natural lancscape. That wish is a small, sad perversity. It is not natural to wish to see only subdued things, only sterilized settings. Dogs at play remind us to play and to experience sheer joy in the every day. Everyone, even those who wish to limit or rule out the priviledge we have enjoyed for twenty years have been the beneficiaries of the positive effects of this joy on their fellow New Yorkers.
Off leash recreation for dogs creates a healthier New York. A well socialized and excercised dog is much less likely to bite a person or another dog because it is happier, healthier and better understands the communicative signals other dogs (and people) are giving it. Less offleash means more people being bitten.
We have three dogs. They all benefit from off lead walks at night and early morning, as do our neighbors. We make the park far safer for all citizens, and our dogs are friendly and gentle. Ceasar Milan recommends exercise for dogs to reduce many behavior problems. Off lead time is the best way to provide this exercise.
This is critical to the lives of people in the city and their canine companions. Dogs woh are unable to get proper exercise and sicialization become depressed and destructive. People will not be able to continue to live in the city with their companions and that will drive people away and be bad for NYCs economy and image...
I can only imagine the behavior problems NYC dogs will develop without access to real exercise. And this is a legitimate *human* use of the parks, too, let's not forget. What about dog owners' enjoyment?
Dogs NEED exercise! Banning off leash play will only make them more stressed, and will increase behavior problems!
signed, a very concerned dog trainer!
I work long hours, and my dog looks forward to running free on the weekends.Shes well behaved,and deserves it,and needs it.This is a joyful experience, and shouldnt be condemned
My (2) dogs unquestionably benefit from this brief period of controlled freedom, in both socialization and exercise. All of the owners I meet each morning are self-policing and responsible for the behavior of their animals, which is more than I can say for most of the children I encounter running free in the neighborhood. Are there not more pressing issues to focus on in the city and world-at-large? I strongly support responsible off-leash hours in NYC parks.
I am a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with over 20 years experience. Dogs need vigorous daily exercise in order to remain physiologically and psychologically healthy. Please promote responsible dog ownership rather than banning all off-leash activities from the city.
As an apartment dweller in Brooklyn without having access to a backyard, it was a blessing to introduce my 6 month old golden retriever puppy to dog runs and off-leash hours at my local park, Marine Park. She is now 5 1/2 years old and is a well exercised and friendly dog, socialized to people and other dogs. She is leading a balanced life in an urban setting.
My dog is a lot better behaved than a whole lot of people I know of, and so am I. And parks are also for those of us who own dogs and like to play with them--not just for people who don't own dogs.
Off leash time is important not only for the pets of our city but their owners as well. This is one of those aspects of city life that adds to the overall experience and environment. Promote responsible citizenship. Do not legistlate it.
Dogs need to run for their healthy mental and physical health. Please don't take this away from the people of New York. How about temperment testing to be allowed in to the parks? I bet some local trainers would volunteer to help with this. Please find a solution instead of just putting the dogs back on leashes.
I am a Humane Officer in California, and a dog owner. I believe if your dog is under control, and not in traffic, off- leash at a park is not a problem!
As a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence, I see first hand how important dog socialization is in the training of a dog to assist the handicapped.
There are so few areas for dogs to be off-leash inNYC. Dogs need exercise (running off-leash) to behealthy physically, and mentally. Please do nottake this away from dogs & their families
There are so few areas for dogs to be off-leash inNYC. Dogs need exercise (running off-leash) to behealthy physically, and mentally. Please do nottake this away from dogs & their families
Dogs and their owners utilizing the parks in off hours are one of the reasons they are safe at night. And that's just an added benefit of off leash hours!
