Doggie Do- Not Run Away

Monday's Council meeting will be another busy affair with dog issues on the agenda.  The Daily Journal canine synopsis is

The council will consider extending the hours dogs are allowed to be off leash in Washington Park. In 2008, the council voted to allowed off-leash dogs on the upper field of Cuernavaca Park and the eastern most lawn in Washington Park before 7:45 a.m. Mayor Cathy Baylock and Councilwoman Ann Keighran opposed the decision.

Since then, a number of dog owners petitioned to have afternoon and evening hours. In August, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved a recommendation extending the off-leash hours to include 6 p.m. to parks in the same areas.

I was going to link to the City web page that lists the Park & Rec Commissioners' names and email addresses, but it's buried so deep that even an experienced surfer cannot find it..........

Comments

[pat giorni]

Surf's up.....
http://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=92

[Joe]

Thanks. One might expect it to be here too

http://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=72

[jennifer]

When this item originally came up in 2008, the two Council members who opposed it were the only members who were actually dog owners.

I do not have a dog, however most of my friends and family are dog owners and are responsible. This community loves dogs. Still, I do not think it is a good idea to extend the hours. There is a dog park not far away, just for this purpose. Plenty of people walk around this town with their leashed dogs and it works well for the most part. There are so many people of all ages in and around the parks who may not be entirely comfortable with loose dogs. It isn't really fair that they should need to worry about unruly dogs while spending time in a public park.

The parks are for everyone to enjoy, and though I think the vast majority of people are responsible and know if their dog is well behaved off-leash, there are still plenty of owners who are irresponsible and who will never admit that their dog could be dangerous with people, or other dogs. Unfortunately, it is that type of individual who sets the bar in a public area. It is not realistic to expect that police will respond to reports of unruly dogs. They have their plates full.

[holyroller]

I agree with Jennifer.
The people who lobby for extended hours are the people who live very close to Washington Park;do not represent the entire City.
However, as I am writing this it occured to me that The Easton Libray is for the people who live near it, and the children that attend OLA.
Children don't bite..
I say take your dogs to the Dog Park!
That was a huge undertaking once.
Lets not forget.

[Anne]

There are a lot of people who have well-trained dogs but most dogs are not totally trained. Police and military dogs are living in a trained world but the rest of the regular dogs can slip out of control once in awhile. That's just the way dogs are. I've seen it in the park a few times.

[Robert Sanchez]

I don't live next to Washington Park, but I love to walk there with my dog along with my 19-month old child and let the dog run around. Going to the dog park is just not practical (with a 19-month old and newborn in the home, dishes need to be washed, the baby needs to be bathed and put down and the dog needs a walk). I usually arrive after 7 pm when all the young children have gone home. I go there 3-4 times per week and everyone enjoys themselves and uses the park for its intended purpose... to have fun. To satisfy the safety concerns, I suggest an ordinance that would prohibit off leash dogs only when there are children around. I put my dog on a leash when I see a child on a bike or running around, even though my dog is very well trained. I once saw a dog chasing his ball and inadvertenty slam into a child on a bike. There is no doubt, kids should take priority. But c'mon, when you have an EMPTY open field, how can you not let your dog run around... when are we going to realize that off leash laws don't work. Police shouldn't have to waste their time enforcing a law like this. Dog owners and non-dog owners need to work together, understand eachother's needs and COMPROMISE. Extend the hours and consider a provision that would keep children safe by making sure all dogs are on leash if there are children around... also, any owner not carrying a poop bag gets a ticket...don't leave home without one.

[Joe]

From the City's e-Newsletter:

Q: Is it true that police will be issuing fines for dogs off leash in parks?

A: Due to complaints from residents about the anxiety people experience when they are confronted by dogs off leash in our Parks, particularly Washington Park, our police will be issuing fines during the times that dogs are not allowed to be off leash. The fine is over $200 (the majority of which goes to the court system). There are only few locations where dogs are allowed off leash in city parks, at the Dog Park next to the golf driving range, and Washington and Cuernavaca Parks during the following hours 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. only.