Off Leash Dog Parks

Off Leash Dog Parks

Sloan Lovett

California State University, Sacramento

        Creating a dog park in a community comes with many steps, and one of the main concerns is whether or not it can be an off leash dog park. Letting a dog run free is beneficial in most people's minds, but some community members see it as a hazard to many things. These hazards can include disrupting the wildlife, possible harm to children, and the idea that with the scarcity of open space should be used for the people not for dogs. The positive side though, includes healthier lifestyles for the pet and owner. The running around at a dog park secures some form of exercise for the dog, and the walking around while the pet enjoys this, ensures some exercise for the owner. There is also the social interaction this brings for all the owners. They are capable of making face to face conversations when they pets are running freely with out any disturbances.  This ongoing controversy is a problem for most communities and there is some solutions being made to help avoid these conflicts.

        According to an article On the Fence: Dog Parks in the (Un)Leashing of Community and Social Capitol stated, “A well exercised god is a well behaved dog.” This article explains the benefits of having off leash dog parks in communities. It benefits not only the dogs, but the humans as well. Dog parks are for social interactions and are a way for community members to get to know each other. Letting the dog run free allows the people to socialize and not be dragged around by their pets. This is an escape for the members to get out away from the city, find some open space to enjoy the outdoors. It is suppose to be relaxing and stress free. This society is becoming primarily based on technology that face to face interactions are declining significantly. This is just another opportunity to interact face to face with others in surrounding neighborhoods. This also gives opportunity for humans to exercise and practice healthy living. Taking their pet on a walk means they are getting out and exercising as well.

        The amount of free space available in each community is limited and minimal, with that being the case most communities would rather have it be used for humans. This can include play parks for children, skateboard parks, or community gardens. This controversy brings the fact that these parks must enforce the dogs to be on a leash at all times. The Leash Laws, according to an article called Dog Parks: Benefits, Conflicts, and Suggestions, “Leash Laws at the municipal level were viewed by dog owners as a violation of their dogs rights, which led to animal and dog park activism.” Since these other types of parks are mostly visited by children, the concern is safety.  Some community members believe that some locations are at first unsafe spots and putting a dog park there can make it become safe again so they can reclaim it for other purposes.

        The main controversial issue is the lotion of having loose dogs running around. For a off leash park to be most effective, it must be fenced in. This also limits the locations and space for the parks, along with the money and time that must be put in to secure the safety of fellow community members. The location of a dog park is the biggest decision to be made prior to the development. The community must decide the best place to put a park, whether it be in a neighborhood, in the city, or in an blighted area. Nowadays dogs are being seen as living beings, and must be provided enjoyable space outside the restriction of their homes. One article states that “animals should be considered socio-political subjects because they are already subjects of, and subject to, political practices and they are affective political subjects in the sense that the animals, as animals, can shift human political positions and practices.” (Urbanik 2013) This means that most people will respect and value them, but the controversy still brings those that view the space be dedicated to humans, the true citizens and residents.

        Another controversy is the safety of not only the children surrounding the parks, but also the other wildlife inhabitants. Off leash dogs will disturb the wildlife that has found homes, or comfort in the park area. This proves all the people that are involved when creating and passing a off leash dog park. It is beneficial to some, and could be very non beneficial to others. This is why there are so many rules that dogs and their owners have to follow in order to keep society happy. Dogs have to have a certain length leash on at all times, they have to keep a certain distance away from schools. Many guidelines and restrictions are placed just to protect the people and the wildlife.