Baltimore City Dogs Off Leash Controversy Continues

Does City Council have it's priorities straight?

2009 is definitely not the year of the dog in Baltimore City.  As more and more city's are finding ways to become more pet friendly to attract desirable residents, our City Council is living in the past.  Apparently our Representatives think that fining residents is the best way to increase revenue.  All good dog trainers know that positive feedback and creating healthy stimulating environments is the best way to elicit good behavior.  Our City Council obviously doesn't know about proper training techniques.

I've walked around Mt. Vernon.  I see the police parked at the west side Mt. Vernon Place park.  I've talked to customers who have witnesses police patrolling the local green areas trying to nab a dog walker.  Is this the best use of our law enforcement's time?  There are thousands of laws on the books.  Most are enforced in conjunction with other more serious offenses.  The police aren't out patrolling for people drinking out of paper bags; but, they do respond to disorderly conduct and slap on the fine for drinking in public.  That's just the way it is.  We expect our law enforcement officers to focus on the most serious crimes first.  Diverting their attention to dogs is not in the public's best interest.

Opinions on this vary across every demographic dimension.  We here at Pretentious Pooch disagree on this topic.  I think dogs need a place to run free (responsibly) and that the leash law was created as a secondary offense to a more serious crime.  I don't think it is reasonable to focus and seek out offenders.  It's a waste of our resources.  My partner is a strict, always obey the law in every case, kind of person--no gray area who doesn't agree with me on this point.

Here is a petition you can sign to have City Council lower the fine and focus on making Baltimore more welcoming to our canine friends that need time out of the house to romp: http://www.petitiononline.com/LeashLaw/petition.html

Here are links to more information and blogs about his topic:
Dog Owners Protest Leash Law Fines - Family News Story - WBAL ...
Dog owners protest higher leash law fines -- baltimoresun.com
Baltimore Crime: Say What? Off-Leash Fines Increased to $1,000 per Pooch?
$1000 fine in Baltimore
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/04/1000_fine_hearing.html

If you are interested more in this topic do a Google search.  You will find all kinds of opinions from the sane and though provoking to the outright outrageous.

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Tom Berger
Pretentious Pooch
A Baltimore Dog Store
A Baltimore City Dog Owner
1017 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-7777
www.pretentiouspooch.com

 

Comments

[off leash dog walking walks walk parks hiking]

.., having an off leash area has its pros and cons.. owners must take the responsibility.. I love seeing dogs in an off leash park..