Posted on 04/19/2009 12:43:01 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Baltimore dog lovers are at war with people who are tired of dealing with the messy or sometimes frightening consequences of walking where dogs run free. These victims persuaded the City Council last year to raise the fine for walking a dog without a leash to $1,000. That's ridiculously high - 10 times the previous fine for first-time offenders.
Even the original author of last year's legislation agrees. Councilman Edward L. Reisinger is promising to co-sponsor legislation to be introduced Monday to lower the fine to $250 for first-time offenders. But that's not the end of this shaggy dog story. The city should seek to answer the legitimate grievances of both dog owners and the people victimized by their pets.
The owners say dogs need places to run free without leashes but under supervision. The victims say parks are for people, that there is no way to tell a friendly mutt from one that's looking to take a bite, and by the way, who's going to clean their shoes? A possible answer - more fenced areas tucked into corners of larger city parks where dogs can run free under the close supervision of their owners. Cleanup bags would be provided, and the fenced areas could be closed if the bags are not used. Owners of dogs off-leash elsewhere could be assigned to cleanup duty in addition to their fines.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
We have lots of dog parks and even a dog beach in our city. Dogs are allowed off leash, but must be under voice control of the owner, i.e. don’t let your dog loose to run free, then walk away. I’ve never seen a dog fight in all the years we’ve been going. Our dogs might challenge a dog that came into our yard, but on “neutral” ground, they could not care less, and just run and play with the other dogs.
The parks used to provide the little bags to clean up after your dog, but due to budget cuts you now have to bring your own.
My local dog park provides the bags. But I usually bring my own since I keep them with my dog walking stuff and my dog normally wants to poop once before he gets into the park. The park is sponsored by Hill’s. They might be paying for the bags or it could be the city. Most people clean up after their dogs out there but it would be nice if there was a pooper scooper out there so people could help clean up if they felt like it.
I’m 100% for these fines. I have 2 dogs who are never off leash in public. Other people in my neighborhood do not use the same courtesy. I can’t tell you how many times dogs off leash have come running at my dogs on leash. We have had to pick them up to avoid fighting. We didn’t get dogs that were to big to get plenty of running exercise in our back yard. They also get walked several times a day. I don’t blame the dogs, I blame the owners.
Keep your dogs on leash, I don’t care how “friendly” you say they are.
I agree...my dog walks on a leash outside our yard and any accident he has is cleaned up on the spot.
RDO Woof
I got to get me one of those little rakes!
I’ve been using a full size one to help scoop the poop
and it’s pretty unwieldy and inaccurate.
Those guys are pros!
In my line of work, I see far too many of the horrible consequences of people allowing their dogs to run around unleashed. Not just from cars, either. As friendly as you feel your dog is, you never know what will happen when a strange dog enters the picture. My dogs are always on leashes. JMHO
I do understand the need for people who have no land to have a place where their dogs can run, but hey, run with them or go for a lengthy walk. Socialize with people you know and you and your dog are comfortable with to give them an opportunity to play.
I know I am very lucky, we have a acre of land, half of which is fenced specifically for the dogs. I know not everyone has that, but I have lived in places where I have not had this. That was when we took them on long walks.
My dogs are always on leash when we leave our property, for their safety more than any other reason.
Ridgebacks!
Though I fully trust them, my dogs walk on lead with training collars and muzzled within my neighborhood; off lead and unmuzzled when I’m in a wilderness area where bears, feral hogs and coyotes habitate. I see no difference...they walk beside me in either locale.
I save the bags vegetables come in at the grocery store and stuff those in my pockets when I take the dogs for a walk. That way it costs me nothing and reuses something I would toss!
I bet if there was a pooper scooper someone would break/steal it.
I do agree. As much as I love dogs leash laws are important. It’s like the old saying, “Good fences make good neighbors.” Good leash laws make good dog owners. There are just too many people who DON’T have their dogs under control, don’t know how to read dog body language to prevent a problem, and think their little Rover (and probably their little Johnny as well) are just perfect and everyone wants to be jumped on, slobbered on, etc etc. In your own home, hey, yeah, if you have a dog, guests can choose not to come over if they don’t like it. But in public? Nope, leashes and control.
Wont you be, my neighbor! LOL sorry, couldn’t resist (and I do wish all of my neighbors were like you—we routinely have to clean up other people’s dog’s poop from our front yard).
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