New Castle News
August 07, 2006 08:08 am
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BOWWOW: Dog parks are a product of increasing dog ownership, growing recognition that exercise and socializing can reduce canine misbehavior, and the lure of rubbing elbows with fellow dog lovers.
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- Iggy and Bear, two small, mixed-breed dogs, are racing through tunnels on the agility course and watering the trees at the city's new dog park as their owners beam. "This is fantastic," said Bonnie Maschino, Iggy's owner. "If he can come here and run loose, he gets better exercise than walking with me on a leash." Dog parks have multiplied around the country, from 20 in 1995 to more than 600 today, to the delight of frolicking, unleashed pets and the consternation of opponents who fear wear and tear on property, dog fights and deaths, and loss of green space. In Boulder, Colo., large dogs have killed smaller dogs at the parks. Pit bulls have been banned from dog parks in Nashville, Tenn., because they attacked other dogs. A proposal to set aside canine space in a Philadelphia park was roundly rejected by residents reluctant to allow a portion of the historic, heavily used property to go to the dogs. Matt Claussen, a park ranger in Boulder, said putting a lot of dogs together in a fenced-in area can create a pack mentality. "It can be very intimidating. I know of one where people won't go anymore because they say it is so scary," Claussen said. "It's a great idea. It works out great for exercise and sociability. But I think it's turned into a free-for-all." Dog parks are a product of increasing dog ownership, growing recognition that exercise and socializing can reduce canine misbehavior, and the lure of rubbing elbows with fellow dog lovers. About 43.5 million U.S. households own at least one dog, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. That's up from about 35 million in 1990. Bob Vetere, president of the association, believes the popularity of dog parks will continue to grow as aging baby boomers buy dogs to cope with empty-nest syndrome. The Dayton park opened in July, offering separate sections for large dogs and small dogs. There were tunnels, hurdles, wading pools and drinking bowls for the dogs, and tents and chairs for their owners. Other dog parks feature ponds, walking paths, fire hydrants, dog showers and lights. In some cases, the parks are being built because of complaints about dogs. Columbus is building four -- the first in the city -- after hearing that unleashed dogs in city parks were fighting, disrupting soccer games and tearing up flower beds. "Dog issues by far and away are our most frequent complaint in our parks," said Mark Young, assistant director of the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks. "It's off the chart." Dog parks especially resonant in large cities, where there are numerous apartment dwellers, and many people can't afford homes with large fenced-in yards. But dog parks aren't welcomed everywhere. In Philadelphia, a community group voted by more than 3-to-1 in March against opening a dog park in Clark Park, nine acres of green space near the University of Pennsylvania that was established in the late 1800s. Studded with majestic sycamore trees and ringed by stately Victorian houses, the park has a statue of Charles Dickens and was the site of a Civil War hospital that treated wounded soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg. Some residents argued that a fenced-in area for dogs is needed because dog fighting had increased, some of the animals scared small children, and not all dog droppings were being scooped up. Opponents said a dog park would gobble up valuable space used by people, and might destroy grass and trees and result in a high concentration of dog waste.
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