Animal Control in Chimbo Park?
We’ve heard that “an Animal Control officer had staked out Chimborazo Park yesterday and was busting everyone for letting their dogs off the leash to run around — also checking to see if they had licenses”. Can anyone confirm this?
YUP its true :( The guy said that the battlefield park staff are not happy about the dogs there and would like to get the park to not have dogs at all- leash or off leash. He was actually really nice.
I had heard that there was some folks trying to organize to get an official dog park area like at Byrd park..is that true?
In defense to the Animal Control Officer, the enforcement of animal control laws has been pretty lax and when I’m OFF DUTY, I see a lot of things that, well let’s just say, isn’t cool. If Animal Control or the RPD gets a complaint, we have to act on it. Thanks for understanding that there are some aspects of our job that we really like and some that we just have to do. Cheers.
I have talked to the museum staff several times, and they have always been pro-dog.
And I have using that area for over 2 years to let my dogs run, without a single problem except for the one dog owner who’s dog bit several other dogs. This was not handled by animal control properly because the dog owner was a police man. He was notified of any and all complaints against him and even given the name of the complainant. While this was inappropriate, a compromise was reached and there have been no other incidents.
Usually what happens is that a pedestrian or dog owner who does not understand dogs walks through the park. Other dogs run up to say hi and the new person percieves this as an attack and freaks out, calling animal control.
Since this is not a real dog park, I always try to be very apologetic to anyone my dogs might bother. Even if I am within my rights, I try to apologize and make peace so as to avoid giving them any grounds to call animal control.
I do know that some hefty tickets were handed out last week. One person got fined up to $500. And, when he went home to get his wallet and id, the police were notified and tried to claim that he fled the scene of a crime.
I agree with parts of all the comments posted above… but how could the museum folks ever be mad- when 1. we dog owners usually congragate in the park long after business hours have come to an end, and 2. we ALWAYS clean up after our animals. I have never personally witnessed ANY problems with dogs attacking other dogs, etc… and I think it’s a real shame that the good dogs that do gather there will miss out on such great play time. my puppy looks forward to it every evening! and without such a place for them to play- it would be a real shame.
Why can’t people just all mind their own business?? control your dogs- don’t let then out of sight, don’t let them bother people who are minding their own business, and certainly do not let them attack other dogs! people who won’t discipline their dogs are ruining what was and is a good thing for everyone else who is a responsible dog owner!
Everyone please chill out with calling the authorities! try talking to each other calmly- try to reach a resolution without ruining the park for everyone else- PLEASE! Thank you.
Hmmmm. If Chimborazo goes completely dog-free, who will actually visit the park?
It’s a big-ass park, if you control your dogs and clean up after them, what’s the problem? Now, if they want to write tickets to the owners of dogs that allow them to roam free like cats (heck, write them tickets too), I’m all for it. But, fining dog owners trying to let fido get his play on is a little silly.
Periodically, the discussion comes up about petitioning for teh creation of a neighborhood dog park in lower Chimborazo. On the surface this looks great. Then people start to wonder what would happen if CHurch Hill had such a thing. At times Barker Field can be a bit of a rough place for dogs, depending on who is there and how neglectful the owners are. Most dog owners I know fear that a fenced in dog park in Chimborazo would devolve into some sort of thunderdome, with neglegent owners galore and canine chaos. Trust me, as it is now, there are already a couple of owners who I run from when I see coming, just because they never police their pets.
I know a friend in Baltimore that managed to get a permit to start a membership based dog park in neglected city park there. According to her, they raised money for fencing and charge a small membership fee for usage rights. (Members get special tags for their dogs). And they actively control the membership, asking agressive dogs and unattentive dog owners to leave. Something like this would be great, but, I fear, to complicated to get the city to go along with.
I walk my dog around the park all the time, and I must say that I am not happy about the off leash dogs. It’s dangerous for them, other dogs, and people. I don’t care how well trained you think your dog is. I don’t know your dog, and neither does my dog. Also some people don’t like dogs, and don’t want dogs coming up to them.
Follow the law, and please keep your dog on a leash.
It would be sweet if there was a dog park in Church Hill!
Has Chimbo Park always been a dog-free zone? I never saw a posted sign until this past weekend. I am very disappointed. My husband and I just moved the CH with our dogs. One of the many reasons that we came to CH over Westover Hills and some of the other areas was what we thought was access to the parks with the dogs, as we had no idea that Chimbo did not allow dogs. We live on 32nd, so Chimbo is the closest park for us. I walk there with the dogs every morning and we walk in the CH area every night. We’ve only lived in CH for 3 weeks but I have been impressed by how everyone is responsible about handling their dogs.
My understanding is an individual can take your leashed dog through the park. As for the comment about people “freaking out” when unleashed dogs approach them please realize that the city does have a leash law.
I happen to have a dog who I keep on a leash while I’m out in public and believe that others should also. If you can control your animal from running over and approaching individuals with and without other dogs great – you are the next Cesar Milan.
The issue I have is most people cannot stop their dog from doing so and if that is the case they should stay on a leash. Your dog my always be friendly; however, (i) I may have a fear of dogs (ii) my dog my not be friendly (iii) both our dogs my be friendly but not today or many other reasons – hence the leash law. Please obey the law and be a responsible dog owner.
I agree that the park may have an issue that many dog owners on the Hill and/or those who walk their dog on the Hill don’t pick up after their dogs? I live next to an empty lot and as stated walk my dog in the area. I am astonished at how many people don’t pick up after your animals. How hard is it to take a plastic bag(s) with you while you are on a walk and pick up after your animal?
To Loz2Hi:
It’s probably as hard for people to bring bags with them as it is for people to throw their chicken bones in a garbage can 2 feet away from where they’ve thrown them on the ground.
-another responsible dog owner :)
I have lived in Church Hill (on and off again) for at least 5 years and there has always been an unwritten agreement about dogs in the park. I understand that I am breaking a law by having my dogs off leash. However, dogs like to run and CHurch Hill has small yards and no dog park, so I choose to let the dogs off leash illegally. I know of no incidents where a dog has actually bitten a dog walking by on leash or a pedestrian. And, occasionally, there are some passersby who seem to deliberately antagonize dogs and owners.
If I were afraid of dogs or had an unfriendly dog, I would probably try avoid walking through the area during dog play time. That way my dog issues would not ruin the other dog owners park enjoyment. I know that this sounds hostile and I do not mean it to, I just can not think of another way to word it and suggest a compromise.
As a person who has taken their dogs to Chimbo Park on and off leash, I can honestly say we try to pay attention to the world around us and rein our animals in when people and their dogs are walking nearby for the very reasons Loz2Hi stated above. Sometimes it doesn’t work because of where a person comes from and/or we don’t see it in time, but I do know we try a lot more than not. We know there is a leash law and respect that and others rights to let their dog off or on leash, too. We’re not walking around the neighborhood allowing our dogs to rummage through people’s trash; we’re letting the dogs run in a semi-controlled area for perhaps 1 hour in the evening, at most, Monday – Friday.
As Chimbo Dog Owner stated, we’ve been apprehensive about petitioning to establish a fenced-in area because so many people don’t police their own dogs and my blue pit (along with many others) are not welcomed with open arms into them either. I keep him on a leash at all times any way (even though he has better recall than my other 2) simply because more people are scared of him due to his breed than his personality. Having a more open approach to a dog park, in my opinion, has reduced that risk and allows me to have greater control over who he meets and greets. I’ve been to dog parks with my chocolate lab, who at times was very dog aggressive, and so many little dogs and puppies came up to her and did the licking/yipping thing but no owners came over to help stop it, she got fed up and snapped: still no owners in sight. At Chimbo Park we all help to keep an eye on our dogs and for possible confrontations. It’s a much calmer scene and we get to know our neighbors, which has come in handy on several occasions.
There has only been 1 case of an aggressive dog in the 1 year I’ve been going there with my dogs but there have been several complaints of “a wild pack of dogs†running around, ruling the park. That I know of, no passersby have been bitten or maimed by our dogs, just licked and jumped on (for that we apologize profusely because I swear my middle child is just trying to hug everyone); they say hi and move on.
This is all a moot point now since we are no longer allowed to congregate there though the idea of petitioning for a dog park in lower Chimborazo is still an idea we’ve been running through our group.
Are there posted “dog” play times? Because, how would I know to avoid the park?
I am not afraid of dogs, but many of my neighbor’s children are. And, they do react in fear when they see a dog.
It is really inconsiderate to claim that if someone is afraid of dogs they should just avoid the park. As archie said, it is a “big-assed” park and both dog owners and others should be able to enjoy it together in peace.
We meet Mon-Fri from 6:30-7:30 approx and that’s it. We meet on the side facing 32nd Street because the other areas of the park have signs specifically stating no dogs are allowed.
The lower park area of Chimborazo might be the answer here. Few people go there and the ones I see there are typically walking dogs. It’s not as convenient or visible as the main lawn by the visitor center, but it would certainly separate people who don’t like dogs from people who want to let their dogs play off leash. It is further away from road traffic as well, and I’ve never seen a kid down there. It’s entirely underutilized – it would be a great place for a dog park – unofficial or otherwise.
On most evenings, for years, no one but dogs and owners have been in the park. In fact, the park is rarely used for anything but dog play. The prime dog use time is 6 to 7:30 at night.
I am not trying to claim a dog monopoly on the park in any way. But it is frustrating when something has worked and the neighborhood has developed an unwritten compromise for years and now, without any real cause, it is taken away. I would be far more understanding if there were some incident behind this.
But this time, my understanding is that a cranky woman choose to walk through the middle of the dog play area and then fussed when dogs ran up to her. (While I did not witness this, it does hold to the pattern that occurs a couple of times a year. SOmeone walks through as if to challenge the dogs and the complains when they run up and sniff. And it is usually retired people who could use the park at any hour of the day).
If someone can come up with a viable solution, I am all for it. I think the park should be used by the neighborhood, not just dog owners. But if dogs off leash are effectivelly banned, I can almost guarantee the park will go back to being underused or even unused. And, over time, there will be a return shady activity to the overlook area.
Animal control, when out and about, chases people out of lower chimborazo too.
A law is a law is a law…which other laws would you like them to be subjective about?
I am a responsible dog owner. My dogs are never off thier leashes when they aren’t in a fenced area. There isn’t a single person that can say with 100% accuracy that thier little beloved wont bite a stranger or strange dog, run into traffic while chasing that damn squirrel or anything else….they are dogs after all. No matter how well trained or behaved they still have that instinct to be a dog at heart.
Now converting Lower Chimbro into a real fenced dog park is an excellent idea…
i think it’s unfair to say that people can’t control their dogs from going up to random people- as they can, and I know I certainly do. My dog never goes up to people, b/c i don’t let him, and he never goes into the street b/c i’ve trained him to sit before crossing. most dogs that congregate in the park are superbly trained, and the few ‘annoyances’ that i’ve witnessed to bystanders has been because they stupidly walk directly into a group of 10+ dogs! of course they’re going to say hi if you walk right into the space they’re occupying!
now i don’t want us dog owners to hog the park either- but all we’re asking is 1 hour a day! how hard is that to give? i don’t think it’s unfair for us to ask- as a single person, my dog’s sometimes-only opportunity to become socialized with other doggies is to go to the park! and it has been such a great outlet for both him and i- he has learned how to properly interact with other dogs, and i’ve gotten the chance to meet my neighbors-which is such a wonderful feeling!!!
i’m perfectly willing to meet down below the hill– so any doggie park goers– lets go down there! (at least in the meantime…) and let’s go ahead and submit a petition- worse that could happen, they say no, and we fight for it! and we can attempt to make it a somewhat rule oriented, or membership oriented group, so people who are bad at reprimanding or controlling their dogs cannot ruin the fun for the rest of us- as has clearly happened in the current situation.
I wonder if a cerain CH resident were walking unleashed fowl in Chimbo and happened to cross paths with said Animal control what the outcome would be???
Oooohhhh….no you di’int…
so is the area facing 32nd street, which indeed is not posted saying no dogs, cool or not? perhaps mac could clear that up.
having lived up here for an age it seems sad that such an under utilized park which over the years dog owners, by their very presence, have helped clean up and to an extent reclaim from more unsavory activities than dog walking is now off limits. the reward being to have to use the less visible, unpoliced and potentially dangerous lower “bottom side” chimborazo.
imagine…it’s november and a single woman with an energetic dog which has been cooped up in the house all day returns home after a late meeting at work.
it is time for some community based common sense to prevail on this issue.
I am a former Church Hill resident and dog owner who regularly used Chimbo Park. I was quite upset when the RPD started cruising through the park and on Broad St using the bull horn to inform dog owners that we were not allowed in the park. This included times when I had my dog on a leash. I think it’s a gross generalization to say that all the dog owners that use Chimo are responsible, but for the most part, the dogs are well behaved, the poop is cleaned up and the owners are well behaved- which is more than I can say about some non-dog owners I’ve seen in the park. It wasn’t unusual to walk through the area early in the morning and find the detritus from the night before…empty beer cans and mini bottles, drug paraphenalia and spent condoms (well at least thank the lord for that!) I’ve even come across people in broad daylight engaged in acts that are probably illegal in most southern states! I think that the Park Service and the City of Richomnd ought to be outraged about that and not folks enjoying the park with their dogs.
Even though I no longer reside in Richmond, I would like to see a solution to the problems (and there are many!) in Chimbo Park. Here are some suggestions…
1. Foremost, close the drive to ALL civilian vehicles!! I believe this would cut down on about 75% of the crap that goes on in the park. I know this would piss off the folk that go to the park to work on their cars, but hey, work on your car in the street outside your home! I’ve seen tourists out there who to get the creeps from the cars “cruising” through the park and they should. It looks bad and it probably is bad.
2. Increase RPD patrol at the times of day when criminal activities are most likely to occur in the Park. I believe that would be at night when most dog owners and most people with a lick of sense are NOT in the park.
3. Dog owners play by the current rules. Yes, I hate that to, but you will lose all access to the park if you don’t behave.
4. Dog owners unite. Petition the city to have a fenced dog area. Given the traffic on Broad St, it’s alot safer for your dogs anyway. A selling point could be that you will help keep the park clean. Doggie co-ops have worked in other cities (see also Seattle) and while things are slow to change in Richmond, if you grease the wheel the right way, you can get it done.
Good luck!
Please email Delores McQuinn with any concerns at mcquindl@ci.richmond.va.us There is also a town hall meeting at the United House of Prayer on 9/22 at 11:00am. McQuinn will be there to address any issues in the community.
While having an “official” dog park will be nice to have, there should be some type of monitoring of agreessive dogs and/or aggressive owners. Use of the area only at specific hours, dog park visitors paying a small fee to use the park, or users of the dog park helping with the maintenance of the park could all be ideas to help keep things like they are now. I love going to the park with my dogs and talking with other neighbors. The people who go out there every night are the neighbors and business owners in Church Hill and not causing any trouble. We are just looking to enjoy the beautiful park with the people we know and the dogs that we love.
We’ve decided to do the petitioning piece and we’re mulling over it being membership driven simply because we know of some dog owners who are not responsible for their dogs at all.
Me and another CH resident are going to research what we need to do and start getting it done because it would be wonderful to have a fenced in area on this side of the city, especially since the lower part Chimbo park has been highly neglected for so long.
To Chimbo Dog Owner: I really like the dog park idea. I am new to the area and do not take part in the nightly off lead dog romp at Chimbo (my dogs are not allowed off lead except inside a fence). Could you continue to update so we can all take part in the petitioning and/or membership drive? Thanks for taking on this project!
Yeah! Thanks a lot for taking this on! if you need help, just let me know:) i would be glad to help (i’m a pretty fast typer!) haha:)
yeahhhhh! i’m excited now:)
Ok so I made some initial calls to the city and left messages to start figuring out what we would need to do. I think it can be a long process and we would need LOTS of support and citizen letters, petitions etc. But I love my boy and that guy needs to run around and play, so I say let’s do it!
I got inspired for a bit and made up an email– chimbodogs@hotmail.com. If you are interested in organizing together email us…
“Another chimbo dog owner” and “Chimbo dog owner”… let’s chat again tonight or tomorrow about what we can do next…
So blatantly breaking a law is cool now? Or, is it only cool when it come to your dogs.
The hypocrisy is amazing…
I am not sure what part of the posting you are referring to.. but you can see that a group of us are joining together to organize to get an official off-leash area for dogs to play. I feel like we are trying to take steps to provide our dogs and other park users and neighbors equal access to a public space. Granted many of us let our dogs play off leash in the past which might have been overstepping the rules. As more people are using the park it seems like another option for off-leash dog time is needed and we are trying to figure out what that would be. If you have ideas or suggestions of a good solution for everyone– let us know.. I think we are all just trying to find a good common ground.
I realize that having dogs off leash is breaking the law. However, it is a law that I have and many of us have chosen to break.
Those of you who keep beating the “breaking the law” drum should take a moment and actually think about your life. I am willing to bet that you break countless laws every day based on your own needs. Do you speed? Do you stop 100% at the hundreds of 4 way stops in the hood? Is your house completely up to code? (Are you sure?) Could you stand for a police force that enforced every law in its entirety? I suspect that most of you would scream “Fascism” or “Police State” if this happened.
I am not advocating the complete abandonment of laws. Traditionally, the police force choses when and how to enforce laws. They are allowed to make judgement calls.
AND I even like the leash law because it allows the police and animal control officers to respond to real incidents where dogs cause problems. My only problem is that I know of no real incident. Only contrived ones where people who do not like dogs deliberately walk through the middle of the park at dog hour. (THe Galloways, who have long been retired and could be out in the park at any hour they chose, were famous for this at Libby park and managed to end dog play there).
And I ask those of you who have problem dogs to continue to respect those of us who are lucky enough to have socialble dogs and allow us to let them play. And we will respect you by keeping an eye out for you and trying to avoid having our dogs pester you.
I will rethink my position if anyone can site a credible incident where a person or other dog walking through the park has been attacked by a dog from our group.
Letting a well trained dog off-leash in an empty park (the ONLY time I’ll do it), is a lot like jaywalking in the desert — yes, it may be against the law, but it’s hardly an immoral or even dangerous act.
My only regret is that I didn’t make the comment about the geese.
I think the leash laws are there because even if your dog is well-behaved, you cannot predict the behavior of other dogs or people.
Take for example the incident that happened Monroe park last year, where an unleashed dog attacked a couple of dogs and a person. Granted, that dog was not well-behaved! But, others were hurt because of the owner’s careless actions.
I really don’t care if your dog is on or off leash, but there is no “dog hour”. I can use that park WHENEVER I want to. And, if so can anyone else, even people who are afraid of dogs. Personally, I would rather use the park between the hours of 5-8 p.m., when I get home from work and before it turns dark.
Keep your dog leashed. Not because it is the law, but because it is inconsiderate not to do so.
beth, you can use the park whenever you want to. I always leash my dog if there is anyone (including other dogs) within (at least) 50 yards. If you walk toward us, on goes the leash. That is not inconsiderate and to say otherwise is either hypersensitive or inconsiderate of me and the love I have for my dog.
I’m all for safety, especially in public spaces. And, I recognize that there are bad owners, and maybe even bad dogs. But, Chimborazo is often an empty waste of public space. Using it to let fido spend some energy — under the right circumstances — doesn’t strike me as an affront to the community.
Beth, perhaps if people were using the park, there would not be a “dog hour”. But my experience is that if the dogs are not out there, no one is using it. So to reserve the park just in case some one might choose to use it on a rare occassion does have a tinge of selfishness.
The monroe park dog attack would not have been stopped by the leash law. The dog was actually on a rope leash and the dog had a history of aggression. And the owner, knowing this, chose to walk his dog through the middle of a crowded park, complete with plenty of homeless people (who, tend to set off most dogs). It is exactly the type of idiocy we use peer pressure to try to stop in our gathering.
archie,
I was not calling you inconsiderate.
CBO,
Please see archie’s comment. His approach to leashless dogs is far more considerate than your approach. Leash you dog when others or other dogs are around.
Beth, I re-read and and it does sound snippy. Sorry.
But in a previous post I did say that I do try to leash my dogs or at least call them to me and hold them whenever I see anyone walking through with a dog that is not one of ours. Or when I encounter someone I think might not be a fan of my dogs. Most of my fellow dog owners do this too. This does not work 100% of the time, but it works far more often than it does not.
I once dog-sat a 9 mo. old puppy of a very large variety that respected my commands to sit, heel, etc. Until one fine day in Chimbo park someone unleashed their small dogs to let them run. The dog I was walking on leash checked them running his way and decided he wanted to romp with them. In a moment of ‘uh-oh’ insight — I mean, this dog weighed probably as much as I and had it yanked free, I doubt it would have come back to me upon my call as I was not its ‘mommy’ — I used all my strength/weight to yank the leash to the ground and jumped on it, so that the dog couldn’t get enough leverage to rear back and yank any longer. When he was over it, and I had established I was in control, I bee-lined him straight for home. Meanwhile, as I was sitting in the wet grass now with dog scratches and slobber all over me, the owner of the 2 small dogs walked over and cheekily opined that it looked like I was having difficulty managing my dog. !!! Dude, a) not my dog, and b) in light of that fact, and in spite of your actions, I think I handled the situation really pretty well as I managed to avoid letting a small horse run the neighborhood and freak people out (at best).
So put this down as a case of a dog owner not respecting the laws causing what was for me an unpleasant situation (and what for the neighborhood could have been a much more unpleasant situation). I know that doesn’t generalize to all dogs/dog owners, but still, didn’t give me the warm and fuzzies about walking the dog in that park any longer.
Wait. I’m confused. So they won’t let me walk my dogs in the park even if they are leashed? Can someone clarify this for me?
Did anyone ever think that some people do not go to the park because of the dogs? I would love to go to the park and allow my daughter to run around and practice soccer, but every time I pass the parks there are dogs there.
When she was around two, I had just taken her out of the car and put her on the sidewalk when I noticed a dog running towards us and a lady running behind it telling it to stop. This was not a small dog. You may not be able to imagine being two and being confronted by a large dog, but I saw it and it is not pretty, so since that day my daughter has been terrified of dogs.
All this to say, when I want to take my daughter to the park to practice, I must get in the car and drive. Yes there is Libby Hill, but that is too hilly. And I understand that most of you are considerate, and I know you want your dogs to be able to run and exercise, but doing that makes the park kind of off limits to us. And I know someone said something about the “dog hour” between 6 and 7:30, but we get home around 6 and I try to get her ready for bed by 8, so what time does that leave us to enjoy the park?
Has anyone thought to engage our elected cousel women concerning the issue or is she still to busy trying to locate office space?
I wrote to her yesterday. Sam Patterson wrote back:
V has contacted Parks and Rec and found out we need to write a letter of intent, which I plan to write and she will edit/add her $0.2. In 2 weeks there are the Chimbolympics and a few other big festivals happening where we hope to garner many signatures from CH residents to show the city we would really love to have a dog park, will hold fundraisers for fencing and services, etc.
We have decided to try for the lower Chimbo area since the “remodeling” they have in store for the park is the upper half and so many organizations are vying for a spot already and, honestly, we really need to be out of the way.
What we are going to need is various persons to help with fundraising and we definitely need an organizing committee to start meeting soon since we think it fair to include all of you, not just us few, in how and what happens.
When all is said and done, we need a friends group because we don’t want the dog park to turn into a free for all and want to make clear that people should still watch their dogs even while in a fenced area. We hope everyone will understand the same rules apply even inside the fence. Another idea we’re tossing around is to charge a nominal membership fee to help pay for upkeep. V is currently researching that as we’ve both noticed it works more often than not in other cities who have tried it. It will also give us a little more control over irresponsible dogs and their negligent owners.
Alas, this is what we need an organizing committee for!
So all those willing to help in any way, from fundraising, organizing and/or labor, please email chimbodogs@hotmail.com. We would appreciate any and all input that is coherently stated and of course realistic. Or you can email me. Whatever works best for you, just let us get the ball rolling!
It would help if I had my email in the post huh?
crystalball30(at)gmail(dot)com
An nbc12 article on another rabid fox ID discusses the stepped-up efforts of animal control to enforce leash laws across the city:
in regards to the comments by Beth & LB about “dog hour”- yes- we all realize that these after work hours are the prime time for ANYONE to use the park, and we dog owners would never try to ban others from using the park at the same time we would like to run our dogs- BUT- Chimbo Park is HUGE!!!!! we only use a small portion of the park to run our dogs, and we are always in the same place. There is still more than ample room for your daughter to proactice soccer, or whatever you all would want to do in the park- on the other side of the park! With so much room- everyone should be able to use the park at the same time- just don’t go in the area with the dogs… we only use a small side piece of the park- the rest you may use at your will…
I think the efforts by V and another CBO to create a dog run area are far for productive for solving this problem than by continuing to insist that other residents must make exceptions for a few dog owners.
What V and another CBO are doing are marks of responsible dog owners.
“There is still more than ample room for your daughter to proactice soccer, or whatever you all would want to do in the park- on the other side of the park!”
Sorry, EcoGirl … YOU should move. You are the one breaking the law. And, if there are people over on the other side of the park, you should pack up and go. It sucks, but it IS supposed to be a dog-free park and it really isn’t too much for a neighbor to expect to be able to use any part of it free from dogs. (I think that sucks, too, as I have made clear … but there it is.)
I would go further and say that you should make it very, very clear when you come across others in the park that you are actively controlling your dog … shorten up on the leash and make him/her sit if approached. As the scofflaw, the onus is on you (and me).
I don’t shorten my dogs’ leashes and make them sit while someone else passes for the simple fact that it gives them way too much time to put their attention on that 1 person therefore getting more excited. I cinch up the leashes and keep walking which is much better in my opinion especially when there are 10 people walking around; I’d never get anywhere if I always did what you just suggested above (especially since 2 have just learned to sit and sometimes take a while to do it).
I wait to see a persons reaction via body language to determine how tight I keep my dogs. Since I am walking 3 more often than not, I try to avoid areas where they will get excited because I know I can’t control all 3 at the same time, especially my oldest.
This conversation is starting to get a little personal when the issue here is the dogs being off leash in a very public park. We hear you loud and clear that you want leashes to remain on but it was the animal control officer who spoke the loudest.
The funny thing is, or perhaps ironic maybe, I’ve walked with my dogs through the park very leashed every night/evening this week and it’s been void of visitors. We haven’t been letting our dogs run for almost 1 week and yet I still see no one and this is during our usual hour or sometimes right before or after. 2 women have been walking the park for exercise nightly and the dogs have never once given them a 2nd thought and 1 of the women has glared at me for having 2 pits out in public.
The issue is now moot anyway because we can’t go back to doing our “dog hour” without expensive consequences being served and V and I are trying to get the ball rolling for this fenced dog park idea.
Now the big question is, will all you leash strict peeps help us out in some way or just let out a sigh of relief?
i wasn’t meaning to sound like people should get out the way for the dogs… i just wanted to point out that the park is so large- so why can’t we all use it??? why does it have to be one or the other? that’s all i was trying to say…
I agree with the notion that the on-leash off-leash discussion can’t really get us moving forward. We are all neighbors and love to use the park. We are working towards finding a solution that hopefully meet everyone’s needs. (fido included) This process may take awhile and will most likely include letters, petitions, surveys, fund-raising and then the building and maintenance of a site.
I think it is a great dialogue and even better that people are interested in what happens to our public spaces. I hope that we can come together as a neighborhood to support this “citizen- driven” project. SO doggie lovers and neighbors alike…let’s get our heads together to make something positive out of this discussion. We definitely can’t do this alone so, again, if you are interested in helping organize or just supporting the process- let us know. chimbodogs@hotmail.com
another CDO, read further up … I’m a dog owner and I like to let mine off the leash at Chimbo, too. You may have reasons (even good ones) for doing what you do (as regards not shortenning the leash, etc), but if you are in a place that is technically dog-free I think that the issue is only partly how your dogs will react to people … it is also partly how other people will react to your dogs. In my experience, non-dog people appreicate it when dog owners are conscious of their discomfort around dogs and feel better when it is clear that we are making sure that they are safe. I love my dog to death and I know she would never hurt anyone, but the woman glaring at me for being in a non-dog park or the 4 year old girl who has been raised to be afraid of dogs (and there are many in the neighborhood) doesn’t know that my dog is an uber-Beta dog and the only way they are going to get comfortable with me having my dog near them is if I make it very clear that I’m in control.
To reiterate what I said at the beginning, Chimborazo is huge and largely underused. I see no reason why dog owners should not be allowed to let their 4 legged friends play, under the right circumstances.
i await, with great anticipation, the frolicing hordes who have hitherto been prevented from utilizing chimborazo park by canine owning citizens. my suspicion however is that the park will be almost as sparsely populated as it used to be in the bad old days of the 80′s, and before, when it was unwise to walk across it in broad daylight.
public urban space is precious and should be open to all. given the size of the park, local population density and established patterns of use, there has to be room for everyone.
i submit this as a church hill dog owner who has been using the park to run my dog for over six years and who has never seen one instance of a dog harming or suggesting harm to man, woman or child there.
So Archie, other than debating the laws and who is or isn’t a good dog owner, is there anything you would be willing to contribute to this process? We’re trying to get an organizing committee together because it shouldn’t just be me, V and her husband (and possibly ecogirl and k-dog). We want diverse voices! We will need a friends group eventually and those willing to do the labor piece, i.e. putting in the fence, maintaining the space, getting the trash out, etc. You live close to all of us, too, within blocks even. It would be very easy to have evening or weekends meetings.
I have already offered my support, another CDO.
And now the media is linking the stakeout at Chimborazo Park with the rabid fox in another part of town…nice…
a vulpine problem they say?
unleash the hounds!
Yes, they do this a lot. I bet it was channel 9 huh?
I was amazed by the sheer numbers of people in the park this weekend. I think I counted 2 or 3 people actually walking in the grass behind the museum.
yes, i think the nitwit(s) who are responsible for this nonesense must be feeling quite pleased with themselves. they have secured a vast, wide open, beautiful public space which is now used by almost nobody. it is really very sad.
Now that the weather is cooling off I will start my evening runs (okay mainly walks) around Chimbo again. It sure will be sad that I see no people playing w/their dogs up there when I’m there. I am dogless and have never felt fearful when a dog off-leash approaches me w/his owner watching. Come on, I’d much rather see dogs off-leash w/owners using the park than having it be abandoned which only leads to worse things eventually.
Dogs in parks seems like a match made in heaven — dogs expend energy and are healthy/happy/calmer, people have space to play and walk and alleviate stress and become more calm. I do think fenced in would be a nice addition since all yards aren’t big and runnable up here. I believe we may be able to add to the petition/position with facts and figures from other places/cities where the combo works (Chicago, Vancouver, other areas of Richmond!– as many as we can find) – and safety and consideration come together for everyone (including keeping the park active, integrated, free of shady activity, etc.). It would be awesome to have some idea of % of CH residents with pets and using the parks and % without to add a little perspective to the position (whatever ratio that might be).
On the Libby Park comments, I just wanted to note that I believe according to the signage I saw that dogs on leash are allowed at Libby (except IN the fountains :) ) so if that’s where some feel safer/comfortable, then it is example #1 of dogs and people coming together in a Richmond Park.
Also, I would like to point out that compromising on the park, even to the degree of walking on leash (with hopes for an off-leash area) may keep many dogs from being walked on the narrow sidewalks of Church Hill — dogs need to expend energy to be healthy (just like humans) – check out the Dog Whisperer if you doubt :) — and exercised dogs might be more calm if you encounter them than the cooped up pup… and one may be less likely to encounter a dog in the large park than on the sidewalk.
Consider all the outcomes of ‘banning’ dogs at Chimbo Park — consider what the options become and are they preferable to those wanting dogs out of the park — Is this a leash battle or a park battle or both — does it mean you prefer dogs to be walked ON leash and on the sidewalks in front of houses and not in the park? – - Many owners will continue to exercise their dogs in some way – whatever way is left available – as it’s part of the responsibility of keeping a dog healthy.
There are so many places to compromise in between the leash/no-leash and park/no-park positions that it seems like most (never all) residents might find some comfortable decisions (and potentially laws) we all can live with. Each decision will lead us down new paths with other options. On safety, I would hope that as neighbors we all wish for everyone’s safety – and honor what each of us can contribute to the park’s safety through legit activity and not force people – with or without dogs – to sneak around the park avoiding each other or be limited to any obscure areas. I’ll check out the ‘get involved’ notes above and hope to be in touch. This all makes me quite sad to be honest as we moved to Church Hill thinking as a bonus that it was a dog friendly place – and to date, I had found it to be nothing less than that in my encounters …Until I read through these postings and starting seeing the division of residents and hearing that animal control is spending resources on ticketing. I know RAC is reacting as it must at this point and I keep that in mind because on a positive note – I must thank RAC for finding the dog we adopted/rescued and now walk around the neighborhood. Hope the ticket money – if we must pay it — rescues/feeds/keeps alive more dogs for CH residents and other Richmond households to adopt!
I am really not trying to start a fight, but I think CH is still dog friendly. Why is it such an affront to ask that the dogs be leashed when you are around other people and unfamiliar dogs?
I hope dogs are not banned from the park, as it should be a space to be enjoyed by all. And, I am pretty sure none of this would have come up if it were not for the number of dogs running unleashed.
Hopefully, we can all work out a solution now.
As far as I understand dogs are still allowed in Chimbo park on leash.
There is just no more “renegade” off leash playtime in the evenings anymore. So people, please still take your dogs to the park, play frisbee, picnic, fly kites(although I tried and couldn’t get it up) and enjoy the park. It really is beautiful and a shame that is is so under utilized… especially now since most dog folks are avoiding. But again, correct me if I am wrong… leashed dogs are Aokay!!
I do think it’s dog friendly too — and would be very sad if this whole issue makes it seem otherwise — it sounds like there is positive motivation to work this out between CH neighbors and park users!
The posted signs indicate dogs are not allowed in beautiful Chimborazo Park. The signage does not make an exception for leashed dogs. It is at the courtesy of the outstanding, hard working, enforcement officers that we are allowed to use the park at all. They could be forced to hold true the letter of the law (see ‘Mac the cop’s post) and snap down on all of us sexy dog owners. Yes having a dog does make you sexier.
I really enjoy walking my dog through the park, the view is wonderful especially at night. In the Vein Of Thoreau, I will continue to practice my quiet form of civil disobedience. I will walk my leashed doggy in the park, making eye contact with everyone I see, be they neighbor (with or without dog), visitor, tourist, police officer, park official, drinker, drug dealer, prostitute, homeless, whomever. They will see me; and, they will know I see them. I will greet them all with a smile. And they will know that the park is alive with good people and good dogs. They will know that the park is a good place.
I am new to the area and have a couple of dogs that love the park. One thing that we noticed was that a couple of weeks ago the signs said dogs on leash were allowed. Now the signs apear to have been changed to no dogs at all. If you look at the signs closely, they have been crudely updated. Does anyone know why there has been a change in policy? It seems that someone is trying to slip a curveball past everyone while we mix it up over leash vs. no-leash.
get an f’n life and keep your f’n dog on a leash
This column began by trying to solve the dog walking problem in Chimbo
Park. After 68 notes in this column, nothing has been solved, partly because we have a Council Person who seems not to connect with animals.
She does, however, make sure we know that she is a Reverend. So I suggest she realize that God’s creatures extend not only to dogs (I don’t have any anymore, and I miss them) plus other forms of life which our creator chose to give us.
Why should Church Hill residents have to practically “beg” for permission to walk their animals? It’s time those who live in this wonderful community exercised their power. Next election, vote for a different candidate who loves dogs and appreciates the fact that Chimborazzo and Libby should both be there for those who pay taxes, thus the Council Person’s salary.
Also, many of us need dogs for protection. A question I offer is: Why are some allowed to take their guns to Chimborazzo Park on weekends and fire them (hopefully into the air) and not be restrained? Are there any signs posted against doing this?
I don’t understand why people have forgotten we, the people should be served by the City/government. Not the other way around!!!
Lu Motley
unfortunately, the residents of ch believe that they are above the law and have insisted they want to construct a certain environment around their own beliefs and needs. they want to deem who may or may not have their animals running at large even though it has been there animals who have instigated particular attacks.
here’s a novel idea. everyone leash your animal and enjoy the park. this is exactly what you would do through any other part of the city. if you have an issue w/ a leash, move to the county, buy some land and enjoy.
there seems to be a real issue w/ not going to extremes in this area. to the individuals that believe certain residents are above the law because they are the law….you are so sadly mistaken. there is a more severe penalty for knowing the law and outright throwing it away.
there is no leash length limit. for those that want to enjoy their dog running “free”, go buy a 30′ft. horse lunge line. they’re about $20 at the tractor supply store.
this is going to be ridiculously sad if because a few nosy nellys that like to follow people and take pics of their dogs off leash and tattle to the dog cop ruin a beautiful opportunity for everyone. please be law abiding and considerate and leash your hound and pick up the poop!
just imagine constructing an environment around beliefs and needs…wow! now that’s a novel idea.
and, btw kate, your hysterical tone is unlikely to endear your views to many, regardless of which side of the fence their dogs poop.
I agree with Kate and several other posters. Walk your dogs on a leash.
Dog owners would love to walk their dogs on a leash, but they aren’t allowed to so in Chimborazzo Park.Or is someone reporting something which isn’t true???
L. Motley
It’s funny how one whose dogs have been in the middle of said “attacks” and was asked to keep their dog muzzled OR on leash when romping with the pups is now suggestng to others they buy 30ft of horse lung line in order to let our dogs run “free”. Though I do believe they once enjoyed the illegality of said off leash time in the park, too.
My male will not be able to run off leash even in a fenced in area especially since he has taken to defending his sister from possible aggressors and does not do well with intact males. At all. So though V and I are beginning the process to get a fenced-in dog park in lower Chimborazo, only 1 of my dogs will truly be able to enjoy it.
I like to call it recognizing the limits of my Alpha pup and keeping both him and other dogs safe.
And for the record, we still walk through the park and yes, the dogs are leashed. I also pick up after them because I would find it very rude if someone else didn’t pick up after theirs.
Now, the original point of this post is moot, of that I’m sure we can agree. Let’s begin to work together to get a legal off leash play area for our pups.
We will need help to survey the neighborhood and of course get lots and lots of signatures to show we’re serious. Monday, October 1st, the letter will officially be sent to the city so depending on their answer is what we’ll need the most help with. Our goal is to have this done by spring so we can have a place for our pups to play by fall.
yeah, out little guy has to try to alpha every dog bigger than he is, which is all of them…
No. Richmond does not compare to Manhattan, but here are a couple of links to information about dog-friendly Central Park: http://www.centralparkpaws.net/
and http://www.centralpark.com/pages/activities/pets.html
Some of this information might hint at how Richmond can fashion dog-friendly parks.
ya’ll still don’t get it. because of a couple of irresponsible nosy nellys you have lost the most precious possession that ya’ll seem to cling to…an off leash park.
because the authorities got tired of having illegitimate calls about rabid pits at large (in a nutshell) you may no longer use a piece of property perfectly suited for such actitivity. maybe if everyone can come to terms that no one owns the perfect pup and that all dogs, just like people have an attitude, we all need to be kept in check. people watch your tempers and dogs mind your leash.
i’m pissed off that i can no longer legally use the park. thank you orlando and peter. your valiant efforts to rid chimbo of pits is paying off. you just single handedly rid chimbo of every breed known to man.
dogs are animals first and foremost. yes, the boys are my babies, but i would be the first to step and take “permanent” action should they no longer be fit to interact w/ the rest of the world. the rest of the world needs to understand that an open dog park comes w/ consequences and i sadly don’t believe this area is ready for it. let’s work on just getting the ability to walk in the park first and then we can work on running.
Kate, are you offering to hold the 30 foot leash when my lab gets a 30-foot head of steam built up? She’d damn near rip your arm out of it’s socket.
I think you misunderstand how a leash works. Certainly, it is a means to control your dog, but it is that for two reasons: 1) yes, you may be able to prevent your dog from physically running, jumping, attacking … whatever … because of the leash, but 2) a properly trained dog associates their leash with their handler’s expectation that they be under control. A 30-foot leash does neither of these things very well — it probably either encourages disobediance while on the leash or does not allow the dog the freedom to play that they need.
And, for the record, I don’t think I’m above the law … but I’d like to be. Is there a form that I can fill out or something?
Is there a form that I can fill out or something?
Interested in running for Mayor?
archie…your knowledge knows no boundaries. the line is simply to allow your animal to enjoy more space w/out the 4ft. restriction. don’t hold the line, tie it to a tree or post and relax, enjoy the park, read a book while fido enjoys chewing a stick or meandering around.
at this point i will retire from further comments due to the inability of the few mental midgets that feel as though their rights are mightier than the rest. get a leash and a life. good luck to ya.
by the way…you should run for mayor. your opinions and inability to follow the law yourself fall right in line w/ the morals and work ethics of the current head of richmond. don’t forget your flock of flunkiesm, i understand that’s a prerequisite.
Kate, the lady doth protest too much, me thinks.
You wrote: “i’m pissed off that i can no longer legally use the park. thank you orlando and peter. your valiant efforts to rid chimbo of pits is paying off. you just single handedly rid chimbo of every breed known to man.”
First, shame on you for playing the “Pit Bull card!†There are too many lovely pit bulls in this neighborhood and elsewhere for you to suggest that Chimbo residents are anti Pit! No one is targeting you or your pit bulls. In fact, you and your dogs were once embraced as newcomers to Chimbo, even when you allowed your dogs off leash in the park like so many others.
Secondly, it was Orlando’s dog that ended up at the Veterinary Emergency Center after being bitten by your dog. It was also Orlando who footed the typically large bill at the VEC. You were not the least bit contrite after the incident, nor did you offer to pay for the vet bill or any part thereof. Most egregious of all, you remained in denial about your dog’s aggressive tendencies and continued to allow him off leash despite the potential for more or worse troubles, all the while labeling the other dogs as the aggressors.
You further wrote: “…but i would be the first to step and take “permanent” action should they no longer be fit to interact w/ the rest of the world.” This situation, this dog blog and the stepped up enforcement of existing leash laws by Animal Control and the Police may never have come about if you had, in fact, obeyed the law and kept your dogs on leash. You should have taken your own advice when you wrote: “… here’s a novel idea. everyone leash your animal and enjoy the park. this is exactly what you would do through any other part of the city. if you have an issue w/ a leash, move to the county, buy some land and enjoy.â€
Madam, the culpability for the current situation lies squarely with you and, perhaps, other dog owners who may be inviting trouble by allowing their dogs off leash. It was pretty quiet up here until one of your dogs clearly demonstrated that he is, in fact an “animal” (your words) and you did not act accordingly after the dog showed himself to be “unpredictable” around other dogs (and quite possibly small children). What parent wouldn’t try to protect their child from a dog that has been at the center of more than one incident after being off-leash in the park? Everyone who owns a dog knows about leash laws and those who chose to ignore the law run the risks involved with allowing their dogs to roam freely.
You had the opportunity to take the steps necessary to protect your own dogs and those of other park goers, but you chose not to. And here we are today.
Don’t start a riot and then shout “Can’t we all get along?”
TMI – too much information! This is a community forum. Let’s not post our own personal beefs. It’s getting way too personal.
And as far as the leashless dogs issue goes, I think enough is enough. Are there really any new viewpoints?
Give it a rest already!
Frankly, as the receipient of a personal attack by Kate, I appreciate the backstory. Thanks, Chimbo Animal Lover.
And, despite my inclination to let this dissipate, I will claim a point of personal privilege to respond to a couple of points. 1) I’ve got a fenced yard. My dogs can have 30 feet (and more) to wander. Having 50-60 yards to run, all-out, is another matter and a long leash doesn’t begin to address that. 2) I think it is stunning that I’m being attacked by someone who also wants/wanted to let their dogs off leash in Chimborazo. If you read above, my position is and has been that there is a responsible way to do this (although, I concede, illegal).
In an attempt to shift the focus to productive pursuits: I would love to find a way to establish a place for pooches to run free in the neighborhood and I will support reasonable steps in that direction.
Wow, I havn’t checked this blog in a while and I’m impressed at how passionately my neighbors with and without dogs feel about this issue. I am even more convinced, after reading all these posts, that a fenced in dog area is needed to satisfy all concerned. A fenced in area keeps off-leash dogs away from dog disdainers, and it keeps our dogs safe from cars and other traffic. I have to say, I’ve enjoyed taking my dog to the park and letting her play off leash during dog ‘happy hour’, but lately I’ve had the pleasure of walking three dogs at once on-leash and let me tell you I avoid other dogs when they are all on the line- and am very glad that no off-leash dogs are running up to us and causing complete madness. I think we can all agree that a fenced in area is the way to go here. Do we have a consensus on this?
I would have to disagree with tiny above. It seems that some personal beefs have led to the increased enforcement in Chimbo and I would like to be clear on whose beefs they are and what exactly caused them.
I have a couple of questions for Kate:
"thank you orlando and peter. your valiant efforts to rid chimbo of pits is paying off." – What efforts exactly?
"…individuals … above the law because they are the law … there is a more severe penalty for knowing the law and outright throwing it away." – What penalty might that be?
"a few nosy nellys that like to follow people and take pics of their dogs off leash and tattle to the dog cop" – Who?
"it has been there animals who have instigated particular attacks." – I assume their was meant. If so, who?
"authorities got tired of having illegitimate calls about rabid pits at large (in a nutshell)" – What are the names of the authorities that told you this or how did you find out?
WHen will we start talking about the real problems that plague our community….the flocks of geese that roam our streets, pooping randomly on our sidewalks, and terrorizing our leashed and legal pets.
Hey, somebody let me know where to get in touch with the “dog park” committee. I would like to help. I’m the one with the Jack Russells that love to groundhog hunt. Next time you see me, let me know.
Ruth and all,
You can email us chimbodogs@hotmail.com
We have a letter of intent to send to the city this week and are hoping to get a group of interested folks together on the 4, 8, or 10th of Oct to start developing a plan. If you have ideas, comments, or just want to help out.. email us. We will need all the community support folks can muster :)
Ruth,
There’s a whole colony of ground hogs, under the Kudzu, over in back of Robby Delahy’s house on Libby Terrace. Your pups would be in “Hog Heaven”.
Lu M.
FYI: I walked around the edge of Chimborazo Park today and all of the signs say you can walk your dog if you have a leash. Dogs have not been banned from the park.
Also, there is a petition at Captain Buzzy’s you can sign to show your support for building a dog park.
[...] a petition at Captain Buzzy’s, has sprung out of the comments on the early-September post Animal Control in Chimbo Park?. Contact the organizers at chimbodogs@hotmail.com for more information. Posted at 7:45AM under [...]
Was taking pictures at Chimbo Park last week and saw Animal Control giving some dog owners a hard time. What’s up with that? The dogs were on…I repeat…ON their leash.
Man, sometimes this cities priorities are way out of line.
I suspect I was one of the people you spotted interacting with animal control. My dogs were not on leashes when he arrived and he was kind enough to give me a verbal warning.
However, he (animal control officer) did inform me that the city wants to close the park to all dogs, leashed and unleashed.
Later, talking with another friend, I did learn that the city only has 6 full time animal control offiers, of which 2 are on long term leave. So I do still wonder why this guy is making targeting well behaved dogs in the park a priority when there are unattended dogs wandering in the street throughout our neighborhood.
Calling all neighbors and chpn.net readers – I want to hear about your contact/interaction and experience with animal care and control officers in the field, on the phone, during your visits to the shelter. i would really appreciate hearing about anything related to pets – stray, lost, found, loose, dangerous, hurt, etc. that you’ve come across in the neighborhood. i have only good intentions that are meant to support our ACO’s and the good work they do in the city. (btw – the assignment in chimborazo park was not theirs to make and this waste of staff resources when we have an inadequate number of Animal Control officers on staff to begin with. i believe we have 4 when our city should have at least 10-12 for the job.)
so many comments and complaints have been posted on local blogs that show the public perception of animal control is not the best. i have first-hand experience that support the opionon of animal control’s response time,etc. i also volunteer for the shelter so i am aware of the many issues affecting their response time – everything always comes down ot money in the end, so the animal control situation isn’t any different. from things i’ve seen, heard, read and discovered i feel there is a real opportunity to generate some support for a dog park and for animal control staffing needs,etc.
if anybody wants to meet and disscuss this in greater detail, please give me a call – 804-248-8547 and leave a message with your # if you get my voicemail message!