I have been walking my dog in Prospect Park for two years. The owners are exceptionally responsible in how they handle their dogs and clean up after them. I have seen no incident that would warrant any change in the off leash practices currently in place.
Making sure dogs get adequate exercise is part of owning a dog. A tired dog is a good dog! Responsible owners depend on off leash areas for the safety and well-being of their dogs.
Please keep off-leash hours in tact. Pets and their guardians need the exercise off-leash hours provide and it is good for community-building. I meet with my neighbors every morning in the park and we talk and problem-solve about all issues regarding our community - not just pet issues. Off-leash hours ultimately benefit everyone in the community. Also, I have never seen a single dog bite or incident during off-leash hours.
With thanks to the NYC Parks Department for its reasoned and reasonable policies on this issue. Clear off-leash rights, combined with penalties for irresponsible owners of dogs on or off leash, are the best choice for New York City.
My dog is happy and healthy thanks to the mornings she spends running around at the park. She in turn keeps my husband and I happy and healthy. Please keep the off-leash as is!
Raise your paw! Power to the canines and the people! Freedom from leashes and the tyranny of the dog-haters! Seriously, let the pups have their playtime. They deserve it and their owners pay lots and lots of taxes!
It seems strange to me that there is a problem with this. Surely, if people don't like dogs they can avoid the park for that short time of the day? After all, they can use the park for the huge majority of the day. Surely, this bias towards non-dog people is very unbalnced!
NYC has always been dog friendly and as such as drawn many vacationers. Home to many dogshows, NYC should uphold its unique dog culture and allow off-leash dog and dog owner enjoyment.
Dog parks are great for socializing dogs AND people! Dogs need to run off-leash once in a while to get rid of being cooped up all day when their people are at work! We LOVE dog parks!!!
Underexercised dogs will cause more problems for their owners and neighbors than dogs who are allowed to run and play. Please let the dogs have the night time hours to play and let off steam.
Underexercised dogs will cause more problems for their owners and neighbors than dogs who are allowed to run and play. Please let the dogs have the night time hours to play and let off steam.