In Seattle the public survey organized by the Parks and Recreation Board got over 5000 responses. The topic of the discussion was dog parks and everything that has to do with them. From off-leash dog parks to finding places that can be unfenced parks in certain hours, there’s a lot to discuss. So, let’s dive into to whether open spaces for dogs should get more city support!
Dog Parks Are a Hot-Ticket Item in the Emerald City
At the board meeting families that have children expressed their worries that an environment where dogs can walk freely and approach anyone around is not safe for children. The dog owners insisted that there are about 150,000 dogs living in Seattle. They all need off-leash areas where they could run freely. Dog parks for dogs are just as important as playgrounds for children, dog owners say, as for many the dog is a part of the family.
Maintenance of fences for off-leash parks also requires funding, and the parks officials discussed if they should allow advertising and sponsorship. They also debated if there should be a limit for how many dogs a person can bring. There is a three dogs per household limit at the moment. However, some claim that there are dog walkers with over 10 dogs in some off-leash areas.
The master plan for the off-leash dog parks will come out within a month. Then, the city will take public comments in April. Finally, final plan is expected to be submitted to the Seattle City Council by June.
Wow. Seems like a bit of entitlement on both the part of the dog owners and the parents. I’m not sure how a fenced-in, off-leash area serves as a threat to children. It should be easy enough to avoid bringing your children into an area that is closed in. Is there a reason the city has to fund this? I see opportunities for grants or corporate sponsorships. Dogs are not children and I don’t think it’s the city’s responsibility to both provide and maintain these spaces.
I think fenced in dog parks are a great addition to any park. In that respect, I do not think using an unfenced area for a certain period of time should even be on the table. No, you can not shut down a park for a few hours so people’s dogs can run free. Not only does this pose a threat to children, as the post mentions, I think it poses a threat to every pedestrian in the vicinity during the times dogs are off of their leash in an unfenced area. Also, everyone gets that people love their pets. I think owners, sometimes, tend to project. I have 2 dogs, yes indeed they are part of my household, I look forward to seeing them when I get home from work, I am single, so I spend a lot of time with my dogs and I mean interacting with them. The fact of the matter, though, is they are dogs … no matter how much they feel like my kids, they simply are not human kids. As a matter of fact, in court, they are considered property. I think the risk of something happening when dogs are in an unfenced area is far greater than if the area they are in is fenced in. As a tax payer, I would not want the city to fund ANYTHING for dogs that is not fenced in.
I do not think using an unfenced area for a certain period of time should even be on the table . It should be easy enough to avoid bringing your children into an area that is closed in