Off leash dogs at public playgrounds – anyone tackled this problem?

[Anonymous]

Not trying to start a war here. Just curious if anyone has reached a happy medium with this situation.

Many individuals in our wonderful neighborhood use the local school’s playground/ball fields as their personal dog park. Dogs off leash, running around with other dogs, chasing balls, etc. Mont Co law is very specific about how dogs cannot be unleashed UNLESS they are “immediately responsive to verbal or non-verbal direction.” [Sec 5-403] As a former dog owner (now too allergic to have one in my house), I know that well trained dogs can be very responsive to commands. But you can never be 100% certain.

For the most part, there aren’t any issues. But in the last year there have been a handful. All different dogs. These are dogs that regularly respond to voice command, but for some random reason they decided to chase a child. The owners are (usually) stunned and sorry, but it’s happened and it can’t be undone. And the reality is that it may happen again (whether it’s the same dog, the same child, whatever).

In our neighborhood case, many people avoid the playground because we don’t want to run the risk. And these dog owners are neighbors that we may be otherwise very friendly with on a regular basis. I am sensitive to the fact dogs need to run and you may not have a back yard big enough to accommodate it. And the social aspect of having lots of dogs around is great for the dogs (and owners). BUT there are formal dog parks that accommodate this need – they just may not be as convenient as a dog owner would like.

But children would like to use the ballfields and the playground too without competing with dogs. [The purpose for building the playground and ballfield after all.] For instance, if a child is trying to play ball -- tossing or kicking -- the dogs don’t understand the ball is not for them and will often engage. The “oh, my dog is just trying to play” comment isn’t helpful. It’s like the playground and ballfields are being held hostage by the dogs and their owners.

How can we reach a compromise without starting an war? I know this happens in neighborhoods all over the area so hopefully someone has a success story out there.

[Anonymous]

I run into this on a daily basis while walking my dog on the Little Falls Trail. Many off leash dogs who are not controlled. One nearly bit my dog the other day. As you say the owner was surprised and sorry, but it always puts me on edge when we are walking and see an off leash dog since I never know what's going to happen. Worse with kids of course, especially on a playground. I actually never heard the rule about voice commands.

Maybe a campaign to improve signage about leash laws through your neighborhood list serve? Or have an off leash dog time specified for the park at a time when kids are least likely to be there?

[Anonymous]

Big problem in DC, too. The dog people (as I call them) are a potent lobby, at least in DC. I'd write school officials, Board of Ed members, council members, neighborhood leaders, whoever makes sense. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Are the dogs trying to play with the kids or are they chasing to bite?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the dogs trying to play with the kids or are they chasing to bite?

Does it matter? Neither the kid or parent can tell until it's too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the dogs trying to play with the kids or are they chasing to bite?

I'm a huge dog person but I fail to see the relevance of this question. Kids should be able to play freely at public spaces designed for that purpose without having to worry about being chased by a dog for ANY reason.

[Anonymous]

One compromise is to establish specific hours for off-leash dog use. This is also a safety issue and I wouldn't hesitate to call the police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

You're a peach.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PPs. It's frustrating to know that I'll lose many friendships if I push this situation too hard. And even if we assign certain hours for certain uses, folks will no doubt do their own thing (and some will even flaunt it). There is no recourse.

I really thought the leash law was strict - I'm quite surprised to see the loophole about voice command. No animal (or even a HUMAN for that matter) can truly be controlled by voice command.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One compromise is to establish specific hours for off-leash dog use. This is also a safety issue and I wouldn't hesitate to call the police.

Dog-owner here. I'm also pretty verbal in saying to others "You know, there's an off-leash dog park 1/2mi up the road. Dogs need to be leashed here. Thanks."
If they want to get belligerent, they can, but sometimes people violate the rules since they don't expect to be called on them.

We had a neighbor who used to NEVER leash her dog. He'd run up to us barking and growling but then stop 5 feet away. My leashed dogs were generally well behaved but would go nuts. Last time this happened I was four months pregnant. I went OFF on this woman, telling her in front of others that she had a documented track record of ignoring the law and ignoring the complaints. That I was pregnant and had harm been done I would have had her arrested and charged. I then proceeded to pull out my phone and call animal control, providing them the home address of this vicious animal and irresponsible owner.

She had always been rude before when people told her to leash her dog, but this time was mortified and apologetic. We've never seen her dog outside her yard again and it's now been almost 4yrs. People just think the rules don't apply to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

You're a peach.

Really? What am I supposed to do, live and let live? I do with a lot of things, but not dogs running lose on school property. Most of the time people who are that irresponsible also don't clean up after their dog. Also, they tend to think that rules don't apply to them. So, I make certain they learn that the rules do, in fact, apply to them.

I've only had to do this twice, thankfully. Most people have wised up. In both cases, the police arrived. Instructed the offender the animal control warden was on its way. One person backtalked and got threatened with arrest.

[Anonymous]

Actually, the law is ...

Any dog is at large if it is outside the owner's premises and not leashed, unless it is a service dog, is in a dog exercise area designated by the Maryland National Capital park and Planning Commission, or is participating in an approved activity.

Any other animal (i.e., cat or livestock animal) is at large if it is outside the owner’s premises and not leashed or immediately responsive to verbal or non-verbal direction.


The "immediate" response is to "other animals" not dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the dogs are even allowed on school property? In Fairfax, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.

Same for Arlington.

I own two dogs but I always give people who let their dogs run loose on school property the what-for. I'm very loud and bold about it. Polite at first, but if I don't get immediate -- and I mean IMMEDIATE -- acquiescence, I'm dialing the nonemergency number for the police.

You're a peach.

Really? What am I supposed to do, live and let live? I do with a lot of things, but not dogs running lose on school property. Most of the time people who are that irresponsible also don't clean up after their dog. Also, they tend to think that rules don't apply to them. So, I make certain they learn that the rules do, in fact, apply to them.

I've only had to do this twice, thankfully. Most people have wised up. In both cases, the police arrived. Instructed the offender the animal control warden was on its way. One person backtalked and got threatened with arrest.

What are you supposed to do? Oh, I don't know...find another personal crusade? Realize the police have actual crime to fight? And can I ask, what would be the worst thing about dogs running lose on school property? Is it a sign of End Times?