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Reader comment on:
A Victory for City Dogs That Prefer To Run Free
in response to reader comment: jingoism and propaganda ?

Submitted by Matt, Dec 5, 2006 14:22

In response to Michael Chimenti's post, as well as all of the efforts by the Juniper Park Civic Association, I'd just like to say, "what problem? The one you caused?" Obviously, after the judge issued his ruling, after the Health Department clarified their own regulations with the amendment they passed today, the JPCA is trying to spin their way out of a problem that they caused. They sued the city, and they lost. Then, to take things one step further, they blamed the judge, and cried that the sky was falling. Well, the Board of Health, charged with protecting the public health for all New Yorkers, just spoke. Guess what? JPCA lost again.

They could have resolved this issue a long time ago in their little Maspeth area and their little 55 acre park by accepting the Parks Department's offer to build a dog run at Juniper Park. (If there was a dog run, off-leash activity would only be permissible IN the dog run). BUT NOOOOOO!! Instead of listening to reason, instead of looking at the full City Charter, or even reading the clear Parks Department regulations, they went ahead and rejected the offer of a dog run, and sued the City. The judge even said in his ruling that they "have a fundamental misunderstanding of the 'laws' at issue". Ouch.

Thanks to all of their misguided decisions, foolish direction, and over-hyped efforts, here we are today. We have the same Citywide off-leash policy that's been successful for 20 years, but now it is crystal clear and there is no room for misunderstanding by a misguided few. Thanks!

You could have had a dog run in Juniper Park. But, today, it is affirmed and very clear that dogs are permitted off-leash during limited times (9PM to parks close, and when they re-open until 9AM) and in designated locations in City parks. Citywide. And, that includeds Juniper Park, folks.

How's it feel to lose so badly, and lose so often? You are 0 for 2. Why not just give it a rest. Your spin doesn't fly. Your "cause" has been rejected. Find another topic to pick on, find another issue to push your heated and over the top rhetoric. Or, just accept the facts, the statistics, and the overwhelming support from veterinarians, medical doctors, attorneys, animal behaviorists, the Judge's ruling, and the Board of Health's passage of the amendments today. Accept it. Move on now.

It's over, JPCA. You lost. Again. Thankfully, all City park users are better because you lost.

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...

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... [MORE]

Bob Marino, Pres. NYCdog

Dec 1, 2006 01:45

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