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Reader comment on:
A Victory for City Dogs That Prefer To Run Free

Submitted by Bob Marino, Pres. NYCdog, Dec 1, 2006 01:45

The New York Council of Dog Owner Groups (NYCdog.org) applauds today's State Supreme Court ruling by Judge Peter J. Kelly denying the Juniper Park Civic Association's lawsuit to compel the Parks Department and the City of New York to end the successful 20-year Off-leash policy (9 PM until parks close, and when they re-open until 9 am, only in certain designated Park spaces). This legal decision strongly affirms the position that NYCdog has argued from the beginning—that the Parks Commissioner has always had the legal authority to permit responsible off-leash recreation on a limited basis in NYC Parks..

Today's written decision also encourages the NYC Health Board to pass the Health Department's proposed amendments to Section 161.05 of the Health Code (the "Leash Law"). The Health Board is expected to vote on the proposed amendments to the Health Code when it next meets on December 5th to further clarify the existing regulations, to encourage responsible dog ownership, and to preserve the successful 20-year Parks limited Offleash policy. NYCdog strongly supports the proposed amendments and encourages the Health Board to follow the Health Department's recommendation to modify the existing regulation.

We consider today's developments a win, but not a total victory. For you sports fans and fans of mixed metaphors, It is but one set in the match, one round in the playoffs, one leg of the Triple Crown.. The legal decision rightfully acknowledges that the Parks Commissioner has the authority to decide when and where dogs should be permitted off-leash. Soon, the 12/5 vote by BOH on their proposal to increase licensing, vaccination, and awareness of limited times and restricted locations will follow. If approved, this vote will in turn tee up the Parks Dept's own CAPA process (public comment period, hearing, vote), which will further strengthen and clarify the City's successful and limited off-leash policy. If the BOH approves their proposed amendments, the amendments will become enacted 30 days after 12/5. If this occurs, Parks is expected to publish their own proposed amendments soon afterwards..

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

Poll: Overwhelming majority of city residents want dogs leashed The daily weekday newspaper, AM NY, conducted a poll of New York... [MORE]

Voice of Reason

Dec 4, 2006 15:06

Of approximately 13,500 comments submitted to the Board of Health on the off-leash issue, only 200 were anti off-leash and... [MORE]

Bob Marino, Pres. NYCdog

Dec 5, 2006 15:57

here's the poll, folks: http://www.amny.com/news/local/newyork/am-dogs1206,0,4468006.story?coll=am-topheadlines&vote26671059=1 Should dogs always be on leashes in city parks? 35.4%Yes (1747 responses) 64.6%No (3190 responses)4937 total responses [MORE]

Matt

Dec 5, 2006 16:28

Should dogs always be on leashes in city parks? 41.3%Yes (2303 responses) 58.7%No (3269 responses)5572 total responses as of 12/5/06 [MORE]

Voice of Truth

Dec 5, 2006 22:26

The question should have been "Should Dogs be allowed to run off the leash in city parks between the hours... [MORE]

R Oliver

Dec 6, 2006 10:11

Here's an update on the facts as of this morning - looks like it's getting closer... Should dogs always be on... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 8, 2006 08:52

Here's an update on the AM-NY poll as of this morning - looks like it's closer than you've led people... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 8, 2006 08:57

The recent ruling in the leash-law debate is in no way a "total victory for dog owners", as one dog... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 1, 2006 10:21

Michael: You have a fundamental misunderstanding of responsible offleash recreation. We actually all have something in common. Responsible dog owners want to... [MORE]

Voice of Reason

Dec 2, 2006 15:34

MR. HOLDEN WAS DEFEATED AGAIN. THAT IS REALLY A SHAME!!! I FEEL MAYBE THEY SHOULD GET A NEW PRESIDENT FOR... [MORE]

JOHNNY MURTHA

Dec 2, 2006 16:10

Mr. Chimenti, As the dog advocate who was quoted as saying the court ruling was a "total victory" for dog owners,... [MORE]

Bob Marino, Pres. NYCdog

Dec 3, 2006 22:55

Dear Voice of Reason: I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue. The issue was never about whether dogs... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 4, 2006 10:42

Michael: The Offleash Hours policy was never "unofficial." It has been, however, little publicized by the Parks Dept up until now.... [MORE]

Voice of Reason

Dec 4, 2006 12:11

Like most issues, we are more in agreement than we are in disagreement. I am glad the "Junipers" filed their... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 4, 2006 14:20

Michael: We are more in agreement. I have personally wanted to see Parks clarify and publicize the rules for many years,... [MORE]

Voice of Reason

Dec 4, 2006 15:41

As I said in an earlier comment, I think we agree more than we disagree.The results coming out of this... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 4, 2006 15:55

In response to Michael Chimenti's post, as well as all of the efforts by the Juniper Park Civic Association, I'd... [MORE]

Matt

Dec 5, 2006 14:22

Stop being so smug, Matt. We did not lose. The Parks Dept. now has to designate an off-leash area in... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 6, 2006 14:58

Michael, We can argue back and forth about who might have won or lost. I am laughing because it sounds... [MORE]

Bob Marino, Pres. NYCdog

Dec 7, 2006 02:20

Well said - I agree, and have said before, I think this situation has proved that our system works. Let's... [MORE]

Michael Chimenti

Dec 8, 2006 10:25

To J. Murtha: You say that "... THAT ALL THE OWNERS I HAVE OBSERVED ALWAYS PICKED UP AFTER THEIR CANINES... [MORE]

Bob from Middle Village

Dec 11, 2006 13:13

N.Y. dog lovers doo right When it comes to picking up after Fido, New Yorkers rank near the top of the... [MORE]

Bob Marino, Pres. NYCdog

Dec 12, 2006 12:35

The Leash Law has always promoted exercising and socializing dogs. It fostered healthy activity for both the dog and the... [MORE]

Bob from Middle Village

Dec 1, 2006 08:53

Bob H: Still at war with Commissioner Benepe? You lost fair and square. You called offleash recreation illegal. A NYS Supreme... [MORE]

Voice of Reason

Dec 2, 2006 15:17

Gee Bob H. (of Middle Village): The hundreds of responsible dog owners (perhaps as many as a thousand) that congregated on... [MORE]

Boo Yah!

Dec 3, 2006 00:00

Twenty years of a successful Offleash Hours policy in NYC just was OK'd by the NYS Supreme Court on November... [MORE]

NYCoffleash.com

Dec 1, 2006 02:05

The New York Council of Dog Owner Groups (NYCdog.org) applauds today's State Supreme Court ruling by Judge Peter J. Kelly...

Bob Marino, Pres. NYCdog

Dec 1, 2006 01:45

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