Comments on: dog park grand opening set for Aug.16

By: Drew

Drew — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:23:52 +0000

Perfect example….I was enjoying the dog park recently with several other knowledgeable, responsible pet owners when a young man was leaving the small dog park enclosure with his Pit Bull….Now, the guy has the common sense to to realize that his dog (a beautiful APBT) doesn’t do well with other dogs, so he kept him separated from our dogs as there was no one in the adjacent enclosure……This dog has a blast after playing all afternoon and is finally leashed and is walking out of the park when along comes a fully intact male Rottweiler OFF LEASH….

What do you think happened?

Well, as you can imagine, the APBT flips out and goes crazy….and of course, the Rottweiler responds and all hell breaks loose. The APBT felt threatened and just did what most dogs would do…..

Totally unacceptable and completely avoidable if you ask me. Why the hell is the (old bald man in a pair of shorts for anyone who has seen him) guy letting his aggressive dog roam free in a public park? Isn’t this against the law?

By: MEO

MEO — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:54:35 +0000

As a dog owner, I feel very fortunate to live in Church Hill with Jefferson, Libby, and Chimborazo so close by. These parks however, are for EVERYONE, not just dogs. People, especially children, should be able to walk and play in these parks without stepping on shit or being confronted by a strange dog regardless of whether it’s friendly. I am frankly appalled at the amount of dog shit left behind by so-called “responsible” dog owners. I admire people who have put in the time and effort to train their dogs off leash, but I’ve also seen otherwise well-mannered trained dogs completely lose control and run out into the street to chase squirrels, so aside from being the law, a leash should always be used in the city. Fortunately, I haven’t had a problem (yet) when dogs approach my leashed dog, but know people who have been attacked along with their dogs in Jefferson & Chimborazo Parks. Oh and by the way, being respectful of public spaces and showing common courtesy to your neighbors has nothing to do with how long you’ve lived here #19. That being said, I would like to sincerely thank all the people involved with establishing the dog park. I can’t wait to take my dog there.

By: Crystal

Crystal — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:59:50 +0000

And the part of the mesh that is a bit higher off the ground (due to run off when it rains), there is a Great Wall of the Dog Park meaning several of the stones found throughout the park have been stacked to form a wall.

We’ve had lots of small dogs remain safely enclosed over the last month, I promise!

By: john_m

john_m — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:52:46 +0000

There is wire mesh rolled along the inside of the encloses.

By: Mel

Mel — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:50:23 +0000

From the pictures of the new dog park it looks like the fence is just split rail…which means that any dog under about 40+ lbs could squeeze right under it…at least my guy could, and will the second he sees a squirrel. Can anyone tell me if there is actual fencing closure at the new park…if not I’ll have to keep driving to Barker Field…

By: loribp

loribp — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:44:52 +0000

Just a quick comment on Richmond Animal Control – things change from the pound of old — they actually have a cooperative relationship with SPCA and do not just kill dogs that are picked up. They are progressive. The SPCA evaluates and takes dogs from RAC, I believe every week?, and that makes room for more dogs at RAC — meaning that they don’t have to put them down… and they don’t have a set put-down day like some counties in the area and can therefore adjust to the situation when they have room — nobody needs to leave this life. It’s always sad to see a dog stuck at RAC or any shelter situation — but the people who are at the shelter love animals and try to find placement and foster situations constantly. I know they have connections at breed rescue and humane societies in the area. If your dog was at RAC because a neighbor called, it would be fed and sheltered rather than at the mercy of the elements — and you could go and pick them up instead of searching the streets. That being said, it’s a personal choice whether someone believes a dog free but lost is in a better position than at the pound but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend RAC as a potential choice if you see a dog in need — they won’t just kill the canine. The caretakers and decision makers at RAC love animals — if you doubt it, then go visit for yourself. Chamberlyne Avenue — not far from CH.

By: G 2tha P

G 2tha P — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:46:15 +0000

Post 19. I call bullshit. My on leash dog has been jumped 3 times by what their owners called a friendly dog. One owner had three dogs off leash and was surprised that his pack would attack. Then when he saw that my dog was on a leash, hey proclaimed, “oh that’s the problem your dog is on a leash.” My dog and I are following the law and we’re the problem? Is this Bizarro land? Is superman evil in this world? Do the police arrest do gooders and the fireman start fires? Come on!

Poster 19 you demonstrate the same mentality of a drinker who says,â€ I know the DUI threshold is .08, but I know I can drink 10 beers and drive fine, fuck the law.

You, my fellow citizen, say I know the law says my dog must be leashed; but fuck the law. I know fido is an animal, but Iâ€™m gonna let her run free. I don’t care that others are enjoying the park. I don’t care that Chimborazo is a national park and tourists walk the site.

I inquire of you also what of those nicely coiled presents called dog shit your free roaming fido leaves? How do you know where they are to clean them up? Oh wait in Bizarro land dogshit is made of gold and we are lucky to step on it.
What of the squirrels that your free roaming fido attacks and kills. In Bizarro land are the squirrels the members of Al Qaida who run bin laden’s dialysis and finances?

Again I proclaim bullshit poster 19, there are many off leash dog attack stories in Church Hill and in other places.

#19 if you are too lazy to be a proper dog guardian then don’t pick up the mantle, cause this ain’t bizarro land, it’s Richmond. In Richmond the law clearly states that dog guardians are to keep their dogs on leash when they are in public; and, you must clean up after the lovely animals. Stop playing the part of victim. Your self-righteous smugness doesnâ€™t change the law, nor does it change your responsibilities as a canine guardian.

The dog park people have worked very, very hard on a creating a great addition to Chimborazo Park. Go enjoy it. Let your fun loving friend run free there, not openly in the park. Let fido play with other free roaming fidos. When your dog is exhausted and itâ€™s time to leave the Church Hill dog park, put the leash on fido and proudly walk her home. Notice how much she respects you for being a responsible pack leader.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:56:07 +0000

Look Chewie, I’ve lived here for nine years, myself.

Looking back over the posts, leashed dogs really don’t seem to be the point of contention here.

A few days ago, I was stopped at the base of Jefferson Park and noticed a dog off-leash bolt across the length of the park. There was no one else in the park from what I could see, and maybe that’s why! Who would want to stroll through a park with dogs running around it? I was in Libby Hill park a couple of years ago, found a spot where there was no dog shit, and soon after sitting down, here comes a slobbery dog in my face. I wasn’t attacked, but I shouldn’t have to put up with the confrontation either.

By: Chewie

Chewie — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:32:33 +0000

I have lived in church hill for almost a decade. I have walked my dogs through parks during this time and never had an incident nor known of an incident where a dog off leash actually attacks anything. Meanwhile, most of you lived in yuppie suburban land because church hill was too scary for you. now you move in and throw a hissy fit because your dogs can not be controlled, even on leash? Because your dogs might bite my dogs when they amble over to say hi? And I am the spoiled one? If your dog can not be trusted on leash, it should be muzzled and/or trained.

I would never take an aggressive animal out and walk it through an area full of people and other dogs. Leash or not.

Yes, the dog park is out there. But how does a fence magically make it ok for your otherwise untrustworthy dog to play with my well mannered dog?

By: Crystal

Crystal — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:52:18 +0000

Di:

Very true, however they also charge fines for people who let their dogs get out. That’s the only reason I turn dogs in if it looks like they’ll have a chance of being found. If you know you dog escapes the fence, either stay outside with it or fix the fence.

By: Di

Di — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:49:10 +0000

RUTH Keep in mind Animal Control put dogs to sleep!

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:06:45 +0000

“How about if my kid walks up to your kid and your kid hits him, even if your kid is on a child tether, I say your kid is at fault”.

Wrong, remember the leash law for dogs? Key word, LAW

By: Ruth

Ruth — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:57:47 +0000

I think it’s another example of how some people are self-centered, self-consumed, and think only of the consequences that directly affect themselves.

Genuinely thoughtful and smart people don’t do things like let there dogs run free because the possible consequences outweigh any reason to the contrary.

…that’s called thinking.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:49:25 +0000

Re: 12 – That’s why I would never walk my dogs without a leash. They’re instinctive, distractable, and far from overly trained. And I’ll admit that all day long.

Isn’t this just another example of people thinking it’s okay to completely and obnoxiously invade other peoples’ space in public?

By: Lendo

Lendo — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:38:34 +0000

“wait a minute zebâ€¦your dog attacks my dogs and you dogs arent the problem???

How about if my kid walks up to your kid and your kid hits him, even if your kid is on a child tether, I say your kid is at fault.”

Dogs =/= kids
bad analogy