To their credit, the city of Pompano Beach has set aside land for a new Dog Park. Bree and I go to a park in nearby Coral Springs, but another canine haven is always welcome…. unless, like this new park, they institute unreasonable rules.
Don’t get me wrong, most regulations are designed to protect everyone, and there are predictable restrictions included in this set along with some that defy logic.
The Rules, for your viewing pleasure:
At all times the dog is outside the designated fenced off leash area, dog must be under physical control of a responsible adult by means of a leash.
Leash shall be removed inside the fenced staging area.
One leash for each dog must be in hand of the adult handler.
Leashes may not be attached to a dog inside the fenced dog park unless separating dogs during an altercation.
Dogs may run at large inside the designated fenced areas.
If a dog, person or activity is annoying or provoking any other dogs or people, the responsible adult handler must remove the dog from the park. Failure to do so is punishable by fine. Any person or dog exhibiting aggressive behavior will be prohibited from using the park.
Adult handlers must immediately remove their dog’s defecation and place in the appropriate trash receptacle.
Dogs are the only animals permitted in the fenced areas.
Only dogs under 25lbs are permitted in the small dog area.
Adult handlers must remain in the fenced areas with their dog[s] and must maintain a constant attention to their dog’s behavior.
Cell phone use is prohibited while in the park.
Dogs must be closely supervised and within immediate sight and voice control of their handler at all times.
A maximum of three dogs per responsible adult handler is allowed.When circumstances dictate, an animal control officer may limit the number of dogs for that day or permanently for a particular patron.
Children must be accompanied and monitored closely by a responsible adult.
No infants, toddlers or strollers are allowed in the dog park.
No smoking, skates, skateboards, bicycles permitted.
Dogs wearing a spiked, choke and/or pronged collars are prohibited.
Dog leashes of a maximum length of 6 feet are required and no retractable leashes are allowed.
All dogs must have a rabies tag and personalized I.D. tag affixed to the collar and should be healthy and free from contagious diseases and parasites.
Dogs with a skin condition will require veterinary certification that the dog is not contagious.
Animal control officers maintain the right to exclude any dog from the park that appears to have a health condition which would compromise the health of other dogs in the park.
Puppies under 4 months of age are not permitted in the park for their health and safety.
Small bite sized training treats are permitted.
No toys, glass receptacles, food or alcohol is permitted any time.
Dogs in heat are prohibited.
Adult handlers must prevent dogs from digging or causing other damage. Owners are required to fill holes and/or repair damage caused by their dog.
All dog bites and injuries must be reported to the Animal Control or BSO before leaving the park.
Dog Park is closed sunset to sunrise.
Animal Control and BSO reserve the right to set a time limit and a maximum capacity for use of the park. At peak times, use of the park is limited to 1/2 hour for each visitor.
I have a few issues with their vast array of rules…
First, no cell phones? Are we to receive radiation treatments while in the park? We can’t talk? Can’t text? No taking pictures with your phone? No answering a distress call from your spouse stuck out on I95 with a flat?
Second, there are no leashes to be used inside the park, but they’re telling us what we can’t use outside of it as well: “Dog leashes of a maximum length of 6 feet are required and no retractable leashes are allowed.” Just like with collars; all they want in the park are traditional buckle collars… but that’s inside the park.
Also… the “dogs may roam freely” rule doesn’t jibe with this one: “Dogs must be closely supervised and within immediate sight and voice control of their handler at all times.”
I think this park is to be larger than the one we go to, and it’s BIG. Bigger than a football field. And I’d have to have a bicycle [banned!] to keep up with a dog in a large park!
Plus, a rabies tag is not enough. You must also have a ‘personalized’ tag. They’d better elaborate on that one!
Last but not least: “At peak times, use of the park is limited to 1/2 hour for each visitor.”
Screw it; I’m not driving 30 minutes through Broward traffic to be told we only have a half hour to… do whatever they think is appropriate that day.
As I walked Bree this morning I couldn’t help wish for a large area all our own, somewhere out in the country… a real place to stretch the legs, far from this urban jungle… a pipe dream, and this new park is certainly not the answer to that dream.
Since my sister is a dog walker in NYC - I can see (after talking to her) where some of these rules come from. Unfortunately - like all things that should be common sense - turning it into a “rule” never works quite right.
Cell phone - I’m gonna bet that emergency use of the cell is not banned or wouldn’t be an issue. It’s people who dump their dog in the park and proceed to yak on the phone with a friend (paying zero attention to their dog) that this is meant to apply to.
Retractable leashes - even I hate these things and I’m pretty tolerant of most things “dog”. I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen people drop the huge holder when the dog pulls hard, then they’re chasing them every where. It’s dangerous for anyone else in the vicinity. We won’t mention people who let their dog stray up to 20 feet away and trip anyone else walking in the same area with a stupid long leash across the path.
I can see the personal ID tag if the rabies tag does not have the name/address of the owner directly on it. That was the case in IL and MO where you had to go somewhere and look up the rabies tag number to find who the owner was…
As for the bike - there are too many dogs that chase moving vehicles - bikes included. I could see how it would be an issue… what happens if a dog runs in front of you or knocks you off your bike? Either you, the dog or both get hurt. Then naturally the city has to contend with all those involved who want to file lawsuits.
Unless it’s a really crowded place - I don’t get the “half hour thing” then again I’ve not been to one of these parks.
Like I said - my sister has to contend with all kinds of idiocies by people and so I do get why they have some of these rules - you can’t trust most idiots to have one particle of sense when it comes to their “baby”. *sigh*
Teresas last article: I Am Annoyed