Buffalo's First Off Leash Area
For those of you who were following the Micropark Series on BRO last summer, you might be interested to know that the LaSalle Off Leash Area is now open. This Saturday, morning people and dogs will be meeting at the celebratory kick-off as Dr. Reed Stevens and Jay ‘Micropark’ McCarthy host a press conference to discuss the history of the park and its (hopefully) bright future.
Dog-owners will have until October 15th to use the park. During that ‘trial period’, the city will monitor dog-use and report any problems that the park may present. That’s why it’s up to each dog-owner to pick up after his or her four-legged friends, and to follow the rules that will be laid out this Saturday. The weekend marks the launch of the pilot project, so organizers are hoping for a big turnout. Bring a thermos of coffee, or a picnic, and plan to spend some quality time with your friends. Councilman Brian Davis has already pledged $5000 to the park’s future, which means that attractive fencing and sally-ports (safe ingress and egress for the dogs) should be coming in the future. Don’t forget to bring water for your pet. Hopefully this will be a good chance for groups of people to set up days and times to socialize their dogs.
Pictured are Jay, Reed, Jo-Jo and Poppy.
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archrockgirl
What time on Saturday does it begin?
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queenseyes
10am. Thanks.
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Dan
> Bring a thermos of coffee, or a picnic
Uhhhh ... no. Bad advice. NEVER bring people food to a dog park. NEVER. Bringing dog treats is also a bad idea, unless you're clicker training, and can deal with having several dogs follow your every move as if you're the Pied Piper.
It'll definitely be on the agenda the next time I visit Buffalo. I travel with my dogs, and they need more space to run than a fenced Amherst backyard can provide.
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queenseyes
Hey Dan, that's interesting. Never thought of that. By the way, there are talks about bringing a dog or two from th SPCA that are looking for homes. And if they don't find homes, then at least they can enjoy a romp in the park.
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nicoleshoe
i think this is great! i dont have a dog, but ill hopefully borrow a friend's dog to join in the fun!
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al-alo
so the shirt made of snausages is out too?
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othello
where in lasalle park? the beast and i went down there today, but couldn't find exactly where the dog park is located
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molendast
So is it open now, or does it open oficially tomorrow?
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markay
Great idea. Maybe now there will be less dog poo in my yard to clean up. And I don't even have a dog. Isn't there some kind of city rules/laws about cleaning up after your pet? There's some money to be made if that's the case!
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al-alo
markay. umm, its not doggie poo. sorry about that. i keep tying to loose weight with the chips made with olestra.
anyway. ill try to hold it in the future, but i have to warn you im trying that alli dung next!
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othello
so, i couldn't find it yesterday since it wasn't open :) BUT, we went over this morning with the weimaraner puppy and had a great time. it was well attended, there was media coverage, some local politicians. the space was huge, and promises to be a great dog park...finally!
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Hope
Am I the only one who thinks this whole off-leash idea is an accident waiting to happen?? You wouldn't catch me or my dog anywhere with other dogs running without leashes, contained areas or otherwise.
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VictrolaMan
Hope wrote: "Am I the only one who thinks this whole off-leash idea is an accident waiting to happen?? "
The Rumsey side of Delaware Park has been off-leash dogs running for a long time, and nothing bad has happened yet, far as I know.
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Hope
The following was taken directly from www.BuffOLA.org....I'm interested to know how these rules are going to be enforced. Point #3 concerns me. We all think we know our dogs, but we don't know what or whom may set them off (note that children under 15 are permitted so long as they are with an adult...are we assuming then that all dogs will have had exposure to children as well as other dogs in an open environment such as this?) Furthermore, what do we know about the SPCA dogs that may be included in the mix?? Many of their histories are unknown. I'm just surprised (and a tad suspect) of all the positive feedback this has had on the organization's website. The experienced and knowledgeable dog owners / obedience trainers that I know wouldn't dream of exposing themselves, their animals or their children to this sort of potential catastrophe.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed OLA Rules
* Pick up after your dog. Bags are provided if you have forgotten yours.
* All dogs must be licensed, vaccinated and wear a collar and ID. Rabies, Distemper and Parvo vaccinations are required. Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and Lepto are recommended.
* Owners must be in verbal command of their dogs at all times. Dogs must never be left unattended or out of sight. Dogs who display aggression toward people or other animals must be removed immediately. Handlers must have a leash ready at all times
* Owners are legally responsible for damage or injury inflicted by their dogs.
* All dogs must be spayed or neutered
* Dogs must be at least 4 months old. (younger puppies are not immunocompetetent and could be injured by larger dogs)
* Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
* In veterinary emergency call your veterinarian. If your veterinarian is closed call 834-4043
* Do not bring more than three dogs.
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VictrolaMan
Potential catastrophe?? What kind of parent is going to dump the kids into the same fenced corral with a bunch of dogs?
Don't be dumb.
Really, smarten up.
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Hope
Quote: VictrolaMan 0 ratings12345 Today, 03:31
Potential catastrophe?? What kind of parent is going to dump the kids into the same fenced corral with a bunch of dogs?
Don't be dumb.
Really, smarten up.
VictolaMan, I suggest you and any one else about to remove the leash WAKE UP. Are we talking about dumping a kid in a fenced corral? We're talking about dogs off leash within reach of other dogs off leash, kids in the vicinity and the UNKNOWN instincts of animals. I am not going to take my dog to an unleashed area and assume that just because she is friendly at home that she will be the same in this arena. I do not know what messages she will get from other dogs. Do you not GET that animals are unpredictable? Go do some reading on the subject, get educated, then come back and tell me that I need to smarten up. There is a large population of animal experts that knows how ridiculous this idea is.
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NorPark
Hope, you are a complete idiot. Instead of staying cooped up in your house with you unsocialized lonely dog, perhaps take a trip to the park, with your dog or by yourself, and stand around for a hour or so and see what goes on there. Like a previous post, there has been a unofficial off leash park at Delaware PArk for some time now. My dog and I have been there many times, never a problem. I started taking her there when she was a puppy so she could get socialized and be around other dogs and people and play nice. Now as opposed to boring my dog with a walk, she can go and run and play with a bunch of other dogs. So you can read your books, and submit your quotes, while your poor dog is sitting there bored, deprived, and lonely, while the rest of us are out socializing and letting our dogs all have a blast and stay healthy.
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WCPerspective
I think (hope) that most people are 'in-touch' with how their dogs get along with other dogs and people and wouldn't bring an aggressive dog to the park. I've taken my two dogs to local dog parks and have never seen any serious trouble. There have been a few dog-on-dog skirmishes, usually from rough play that escalates, but easily broken up by the owners.
One thing that works really well at a new dog park by me is separate areas for large and small dogs- 20 lbs is considered large (commonly stretched to about 30 pounds).
http://www.roseville.ca.us/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=717
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stonecrow
Hope, Although your concerns are understandable, they're misguided. This goes back to the issue of parenting. In this case, it just deals with dogs as well as children. Like WC said, you should know your dog well enough to know whether or not this will be a safe environment for him/her and the other dogs and people he/she will interact with. If you read the article that was posted several weeks ago when they did a pilot run of this off-leash park, you will read that dog parks exist in many other cities around the country. Obviously, they're not an issue. When was the last time you heard or read about a child or another dog being mauled at a dog park? Chances are that you haven't. If your dog-obedience-trainer friends don't recognize the value of socializing dogs with other dogs and other people, then they need to get reeducated. They should also know that the instincts of domesticated dogs are quite predictable and controllable. We wouldn't have seeing-eye or hearing-ear dogs if that weren't true. They're not great white sharks, after all - no offense to sharks. The bottom line here, Hope, is that if you're not comfortable with this, it's not the place for you or your dog. But, please don't rain on our parade. If you don't have anything nice to say about it,... eh, nevermind—free speech, right?
That aside, I brought the mutton over there today and she had a great time! I probably had an even better time, myself, though. So many other dogs to meet and friendly people! The PBA might be taking the better part of my block, but at least this is something positive happening in my neighborhood! :)
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WCPerspective
Do any of the nearby suburbs have dog parks yet? As news of this spreads- this place is going to be mobbed with dogs from near and far. I've talked to folks who live a half hour or more from the local dog parks near me. The draw- excercise for their four-legged friends, and socializing with other dog owners. There are even MeetUp groups for owners of breeds that get together on a monthly basis. Kudos Jay, Reed and others!
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Hope
Please don't assume that you are aware of how I socialize my animals. They are WELL socialized.
PS: NorPark...your post says it all....about how well socialized you are, actually. Can't imagine your dog could be much better.
Wish you all luck with this endeavor!
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STEEL
Funny thing I just noticed at a lakefront dog beach in Chicago. The (dog) beach has become so popular the city now staffs it with a lifeguard
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moonshine
Do the humans that frequent this park sniff as much ass as the dogs?
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judipatooti
Here's what I think!
I love the idea of a dog park. We have two mini schnauzers and we took them to the dog park today. All the dogs and owners were getting along splendidly until an aggressive doberman and his ignorant owner who had almost no control over him. Several people made comments about how uncomfortable they were with this pair. Within a few minutes the man and his doberman cleared the park except one shepherd who was behaving himself. As were getting ready to leave the doberman started circling my schnauzer and and myself. I yelled to the owner "Come get your dog several times" when I finally got his attention. My husband chased the dog away. The d. owner said that his dog wouldn't be acting like that if my dog wasn't so scared. Helloooooo!!! Then the shepherd owner yelled at me that my dog wasn't hurt and that if let my dog off the leash everything would be all right. I replied "Not that its any of your business we're leaving". I told the d. owner If he could not control his dog he shouldn't be there.
Here is the main problem as I see it: There are rules but no enforcement.
I am going to go back but I am going to stand my ground. I will not deny my dogs the fun of a dog park just because of a couple of bad apples.
I would appreciate feedback please.
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AdamFIx
I think I'm going to have to bring Ebenezer... I might keep the leash on him the first time though, cause he's just a little guy!!
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sh138
When I first heard that there was going to be a dog park opening in Buffalo I was thrilled. I live in the city with a dog who does not have an opportunity to run free too often. Unfortunately, I have been very disappointed with the off-leash area at Lasalle Park. In the past month I have visited the park twice, and on both occasions there were aggressive dogs preying on the younger/smaller/more shy dogs. I understand that this behavior is natural when there are up to 15 dogs together, but the dog owners were doing NOTHING to control their pets. There are rules for the off-leash area, namely that aggressive dogs are not allowed, and these rules are not followed. Obviously having the dog owners police the park themselves is not working. I would be willing to visit the park again if I knew there was someone present to enforce the rules and keep all the dogs safe, but otherwise my dog is back to long on-the-leash walks in Delaware Park.
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