32 Responses to “the Church Hill Dog Park is not quite ready”

1. posted by jg at June 28, 2008 2:01 pm [#]:
   

   I see people with loose dogs ALL the time in Chimbo and Libby Hill parks. I don’t walk my leashed dogs that way anymore, since I am sick and tired of loose dogs running up to mine and causing a ruckus. I don’t care if your dog is friendly-MY dogs are leashed, and leashed dogs can feel trapped and aggressive. These are not off-leash areas-please keep your dogs leashed!

2. posted by Celeste at June 28, 2008 9:17 pm [#]:
   

   jg – while I don’t have a dog at the moment, I do understand your problem. Have walked many times with a friend who had leashed dogs and we had the same problem.

3. posted by Crystal at June 29, 2008 9:36 pm [#]:
   

   Hence the creation of the almost complete Church Hill Dog Park (CHDP) which we hope to have complete by July 15th at the latest, weather permitting and all that.

   Having been on both sides, I agree that having off-leash dogs roll up to my once aggressive dog was not fun so the push for a fenced-in dog park was even greater on my part.

   We’ll let y’all know when it will be officially open so we can all have fun!

4. posted by Chris at July 1, 2008 5:20 pm [#]:
   

   Since this thread has turned into a Festivus airing of grievances, I’ll tell you what I am sick and tired of – the lame excuses irresponsible dog owners make for the problems associated with their improperly trained and socialized canines. Those of you who are unable and unwilling to assume the obligations of responsible dog ownership have no business bringing your aggressive and potentially aggressive animals out in public, regardless of whether or not they are on a leash or, worse yet, loose in an enclosure with other dogs. Please, keep your violent and neurotic dogs at home where they belong!!

5. posted by Chris at July 1, 2008 8:06 pm [#]:
   

   Since it appears that I need a new CHPN name, I guess I should comment since I would wouldn’t want Chris’s thoughts to be confused with Chris’s thoughts. I agree with Chris to a point. Dogs should be leashed when not in a confined area. Period. I own two dogs, and if either of them ever bit another dog (which is highly unlikely), regardless of the situation, it would be on the news. Another pit bull attack… Mindful of this, my dogs are always leashed, are well socialized (though sometimes excitable), and do not ever frequent uncontrolled situations like dog parks. I’d like to see the leash laws (which apply to ALL of the parks up here) actually enforced, especially in Chimbo since there will be no excuse once the CHDP is up and running.

   However, the “to a point part”: exercising a dog is an important part of responsible dog ownership, and goes along way toward establishing a healthy relationship with their human owners. Not all of us have big yards, and those of us with Pits would be crazy to leave our dogs outside alone in the city even if we did. There are myriad options for controlling difficult dogs on a leash. Since many behavior problems are directly related to lack of exercise and frustration, I would be remiss to remand these dogs back inside and away from what could very well be a walk on the road to recovery.

   Are there bad dog owners up here? You bet. Do I presume to know their situations? No.

   Seems pretty simple, really. It boils down to just being considerate. Leash your dog and freaking pick up after them, too! Especially if you’re a skinny punker in Jefferson Park.

6. posted by Kathleen at July 2, 2008 8:38 am [#]:
   

   Picking up on the behavior problems mentioned, please spay or neuter your dogs. Intact dogs have many more behavior problems, specifically aggression and temperament problems, than altered dogs. Also, intact dogs will NOT be allowed in the dog park, regardless of breed.
   If you have an intact pit, strong pit mix, or one of the other “bully” breeds, please see the offer for free spay/neuter previous to this post. More information about the Project is available at http://www.richmondneuter.org.

7. posted by Oliver Stinkerson at July 2, 2008 4:42 pm [#]:
   

   I am really excited about the dog park- especially because there is a section for us little guys!!!! That way I won’t almost get eaten by curious Great Dane (off the leash) bitches like I did the other day!!

8. posted by Crystal at July 3, 2008 12:05 am [#]:
   

   While the park is still not officially open, the rules have been posted in 3 separate locations for those of you who like to use it anyway.

   Please remember to adhere to the rules as they will be enforced with no exceptions.

9. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 8:14 am [#]:
   

   Just curious . . .

   Who enforces the rules?

10. posted by Kathleen at July 3, 2008 8:56 am [#]:
    

    Dogs and their people who are breaking rules will be reminded of the rules by those of us who are on the dog park committee, and I imagine that other dog park users will chime in, as well. If someone comes in with an intact dog, for instance, the whole dynamic of the dog park social structure will change immediately, and I am sure that people will want that dog to leave. If someone comes in with food,,, well, they will probably be mauled by many hungry dogs. They will also be asked to remove the food from the dog park. If necessary, Richmond Animal Control or Richmond Police 1st Precinct could step in. Hopefully, everyone will read the rules and follow them. We spent a lot of time on the rules and did a lot of research about successful and safe dog parks from all over the country. We tried to design a list of rules that will make the dog park a wonderful and safe asset for everyone in Church Hill.

11. posted by Ruth at July 3, 2008 9:15 am [#]:
    

    Just keep calling the police about the dogs off leash in the neighborhood and the park. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to call animal control and the police about unleashed dogs–and it works.

    Owners say that their off-lead dog isn’t going to hurt anybody, but after having spent many years in the pet care industry, I know that owners are positively clueless as to predict their dog’s behavior.

12. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 3:34 pm [#]:
    

    Still curious and really not trying to stir anything up, but . . .

    What makes the rules enforceable? Say for example that I bring dinner to the dog park. Being as how it’s not illegal to eat in public, how is a rule against that able to be enforced?

13. posted by Kathleen at July 3, 2008 4:01 pm [#]:
    

    JES: As I said in my previous post, if you want to bring food to a dog park, you will probably be intolerably pestered and/or mauled by dogs. And, if we are not worried about what might happen to YOU over the food, I certainly don’t want my dog involved in an altercation because all the dogs want a bite of your hamburger. Hence the reason for the rules – for your own safety, as well as that of the dogs, should you not be able to provide reasonable safety (not to mention the sanitary aspects of your example) for yourself.
    This area of Chimbo Park is owned by the city of Richmond, and the rules are enforceable by the Richmond police, just as with any other park in the city. The dog park is a cooperative effort between the City and residents of Church Hill who have chosen to participate, but the park is owned by the city.
    My suggestion: Why don’t you check out the dog park AND the posted rules and give some thought to why these rules might necessary, before you try “not to stir anything up”? You may find the rules are perfectly reasonable, when you give them some thought.
    We will look forward to seeing you and your dog (neutered (that would be your dog) and without dinner (that would be you!)) at the dog park in the near future!!

14. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 4:13 pm [#]:
    

    Thanks, Kathleen.

    I have no beef with the rules – I’m sure they are all perfectly within reason.

    I was just curious as to what gives you, or any other member of the public, the right to make them. And, if you do have the right to make them, what makes them enforceable?

    It is actually against the law to eat within the fence of the dog park? If one is caught doing so by a member of the Richmond Police Department, what happens? Can they be ticketed and fined for breaking the law?

15. posted by Crystal at July 3, 2008 4:31 pm [#]:
    

    JES.

    Actually, a majority of the rules are real laws or ordinances set forth by the city. The rest of there for your own protection and that of the myriad dogs that will be in and out of the park at various times.

    Eating is not against the law but it is against the rules of almost all dog parks (I can’t say all because I didn’t look at the rules for every single one in the nation, just a few up and down the east coast) for the very reasons Kathleen has already stated. However, if we find you in non-compliance with a very simple rule the city can indeed enforce tougher penalties.

    Do you really want to get kicked out of the dog park forever because you couldn’t wait ’til you got home to eat?

16. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 4:41 pm [#]:
    

    Of course not, but that really wasn’t the point of my post. I was discussing whether the “rules” are actually enforceable or if they are just words on a sign.

    My basic question is this . . .

    Can someone be punished by a government agency for not following a rule of the dog park if the rule at hand is not specifically against the law?

17. posted by john_m at July 3, 2008 4:43 pm [#]:
    

    Can someone be punished by a government agency for not following a rule of the dog park if the rule at hand is not specifically against the law?

    How does it work at a public pool? Is that a decent comparison?

18. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 4:43 pm [#]:
    

    … and by government agency, I am referring to the Richmond Police Department, the Court System, etc.

19. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 4:48 pm [#]:
    

    Exactly, John.

20. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 4:57 pm [#]:
    

    I’m putting entirely too much thought into this . . .

    I bet the reason for the rules is liability. They post them, then, if you break them, you assume responsibility for any damages caused by your actions.

21. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 5:05 pm [#]:
    

    If the rules dictate no food is to be brought within the fence of the dog park, and you bring food in, and you’re bitten by a dog, and you sue the City for damages, the City would push contributory negligence.

22. posted by JES at July 3, 2008 5:10 pm [#]:
    

    amending my last post . . .

    …sue the dog owner, or City, for damages, the dog owner, or City, would push contributory negligence.

23. posted by Jennifer C. at July 3, 2008 6:54 pm [#]:
    

    *ding ding ding* JES gets a cookie. That’s about how it works. The city contracts with a company who decides whether to pay out on claims by people who say the city is liable for property damage or injury. You can bet the posted rules would come up around the conference table.

24. posted by JES at July 4, 2008 9:29 am [#]:
    

    YAY! I like cookies!

25. posted by Kathleen at July 4, 2008 9:57 am [#]:
    

    I am very glad that we made JES happy!! Hopefully, she will like the concept of the dog park better now, and I also have cookies, if we still need to work on it. :)
    Not to belabor the discussion, but we did not sit around a table and think about who could sue for what when we crafted the dog park rules. We never even discussed lawsuits. We listed rules that we thought would make the dog park a fun and safe place for everyone. Some of rules will mean that some people and their dogs can’t use the park. Intact male dogs do not have socialization at the top of their priority list, therefore, they do not do well in a dog park environment. If you’ve recently sat on a floor around 10 dogs and tried to eat, you’ll know that food around multiple dogs is not a good idea. Small children can get knocked down by running groups of dogs. Those are the things we thought about – safety: for people and the dogs. Not about lawsuits. The city blessed the rules and how they work out lawsuits is way beyond me. We just wanted a fun and safe dog park!!

26. posted by Andrew at July 5, 2008 2:14 pm [#]:
    

    I had no idea the park wasn’t really open. I did notice a lack of running water and obviously, there are few, if any places to sit. Some benches would have been really nice….

    Are there any plans to make the park more “dog guardian” friendly? (i.e…provide doggie owners with a few more creature comforts?)

    Finally, there needs to be signage. Without a sign, it would be VERY difficult, if not impossible to locate even for residents of Church Hill….

27. posted by Crystal at July 6, 2008 11:00 am [#]:
    

    Hence the reason is isn’t open yet Andrew. The water is coming hopefully within the next 2 weeks and the other “creature comforts” you mentioned will be added as we raise the necessary funds to do so. The city is going to lend us picnic tables and I think give us some benches, but it’s entirely up to us to supply the items but with no money coming in it’s really hard to buy things.

    Hint. Hint. Hint. ;)

    Also, before I forget, during winter months we’re going to have to supply our own water anyway as the pipes could very well freeze and with us using the water spigot, risk helping along a bursting pipe.

28. posted by Andrew at July 6, 2008 1:23 pm [#]:
    

    Crystal-

    I’m not criticizing, rather, I was merely thinking out loud :)

    I think it’s great that we have a dog park in Church Hill now and I’m definintely looking forward to utilizing it! I was getting REALLY tired of making that trip to Barker Field all the time…It will be nice to *walk* my doggie down to the CHDP.

29. posted by Kathleen at July 6, 2008 7:12 pm [#]:
    

    Anyone who wants to contribute toward some of the comforts or necessities that are needed for the Church Hill Dog Park can make a tax-deductible contribution at http://www.rrpfoundation.org/ChurchHillDogPark.

30. posted by Crystal at July 6, 2008 8:51 pm [#]:
    

    No problemo Andrew. I’m sure you weren’t the only person wondering, ;).

31. posted by Martha at July 13, 2008 6:53 pm [#]:
    

    How will we know when the park is officially open? It seems pretty open now, with the rules posted and such, but there doesn’t seem to be too much dog action down there yet…

32. posted by Crystal at July 13, 2008 7:49 pm [#]:
    

    There is more and more dog action all the time and when it’s officially time to open, believe me, you’ll know, :). (We’re hoping that will happen sometime this week!)

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