Dog owners angered by plan to charge for off-leash park

Chicago Tribune ^ | April 9, 2011 | Vikki Ortiz Healy

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Kane County Forest Preserve District officials on Friday worked to calm dog owners growling about a proposal that would require off-leash park users to buy a permit — and to wear a lanyard proving they have done so.

"They took offense and thought we were kind of making the owners wear a leash, which is not the case at all," said Laurie Metanchuk, community affairs director for the forest preserve.

About half a dozen residents complained a day after officials introduced the idea of charging Kane County residents $40 and nonresidents $80 to use the off-leash dog parks at Fox River Bluff West in St. Charles Township, Schweitzer Woods in Dundee Township and Aurora West in Aurora. There would be smaller fees for additional dogs.

Although some residents called to express support for the fees, others argued that the idea of being forced to wear a permit ID was insulting.

Metanchuk cautioned that the proposal is only in its early stages. She added that even the concept of lanyards is still just conceptual.

"You don't have to necessarily wear it around your neck; you could keep it in your pocket," she said.

Forest preserve officials told County Board members at a committee meeting Thursday that the fees would help to pay for damage to natural resources, ensure the safety of dogs and dog owners, and deter a growing problem of users not cleaning up dog waste, Metanchuk said.....

[Colorado Cowgirl]

It’s also the age of telling the Kane County Forest Preserve District officials to bite me and my dog. Just tell officials it is a service dog or assistance dog for your disability. they can only ask: Are you disabled?
You MAY NOT ask what a person’s particular disability is. Many disabilities are invisible, and the person doesn’t look disabled, or use any device (other than the dog), to indicate the person is disabled. Have a good day!