Off Leash Dog Parks

...

There are no big movements being made in order to solve this controversy. It is something that is based on location and based on community members. Solutions are making communities provided certain areas for off leash dog parks, and making sure that other parks are created equally. This way nobody sees dogs are getting and upper hand and that the people are being provided for as well. One article called Pet Bylaws and Posthumanist Health Promotion: A Case Study of Urban Policy, suggests that there be a time slot for when people can roam freely with their pets not having to be on a leash. In one LA park they are enforcing this for after 6pm on some weekdays. This is a compromise they made in order to satisfy those dog owners that want their dogs to have rights.

Off leash dog parks do bring controversy, but it is controversy that can be solved with out getting out of hand. There is limited amount of space for recreational areas, and the community must decide what it's town needs. Whether that be a dog park, or a park dedicated for humans. The dog parks have their own benefits, socially and health wise. They allow community members to interact face to face, and they force the owner to get out and exercise, even if it's just walking. They also have there negative effects. Not all dogs are trustworthy, and some dogs can be too aggressive. With out a leash these dogs can do very harmful things to human beings or other animals. They also can disturb the peace. Other wildlife that has found safety in certain areas are not being protected with off leash policies. There at last is the controversy as to whether or not these spaces can be used for something better. The problem is whether or not the positives of having off leash dog parks outweigh the negatives.

References

Gómez,E. (2013). Dog parks: Benefits, conflicts, and suggestions.Journal of Park & Recreation Administration,31(4), 79-91.

Graham,T. , & Glover,T. (2014). On the fence: Dog parks in the (un)leashing of community and social capital.Leisure Sciences,36(3), 217-234.

Rock,M. (2013). Pet bylaws and posthumanist health promotion: A case study of urban policy.Critical Public Health,23(2), 201-212.

Urbanik,J. , & Morgan,M. (2013). A tale of tails: The place of dog parks in the urban

imaginary.Geoforum,44, 292-302.