I'm disappointed and disgusted with the coverage of this issue by New York City journalists. They should all be ashamed of themselves for becoming tools of a small special interest group rather than presenting all the facts to the public.
The news media, at one point in time, actually researched data and presented a fair and balanced view of issues. In NYC journalists have become lackeys, parroting every fabricated bit of data and outright lie handed to them by the off-leash lunatic fringe. If there are any real journalists left in New York that are interested in investigating the truth behind the public deception, I'd be happy to assist. A lot of the contradictory evidence is contained within this blog.
It is abundantly clear that the city government doesn't give a damn about interest groups without money and influence. If today's events have motivated you to finally get up off your couch and do something, contact the JPCA on their website:
http://junipercivic.com/contactus.asp
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH
Commissioner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
(212) 788-5290
NEW YORK CITY BOARD OF HEALTH VOTES TO ALLOW PARKS DEPARTMENT TO CODIFY “OFF LEASH” DOG POLICY
Board Limits “Off-Leash” Hours to 9 PM - 9 AM in Designated Areas, in Accordance with the Long-Standing Practice
Health Department Reserves Right to Rescind “Off-Leash” Hours if Policy Results in Increased Dog Bites, Risk of Rabies or other Animal-Borne Disease
NEW YORK CITY – December 5, 2006 – The New York City Board of Health voted today to formally allow the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks) to codify its long-standing “courtesy hours” policy allowing dogs off leashes in designated areas of City parks between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Parks is planning to amend their rules to incorporate this policy. The complete adopted amendment is available online at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/public/notice-adoption-hc-art161.pdf.
“The overwhelming majority of comments received on this proposal were in favor,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden. “We have devised a rule that balances our mandate to protect the public’s health and safety with the need for a formal off-leash policy for dogs in City parks.”
Exercising dogs off-leash provides some benefits to human health. Off-leash exercise can calm anxiety in animals and reduce the likelihood of dog bites and other aggressive behavior. In addition, dog owners can experience better mental health by socializing with others and improved physical health by exercising alongside their dogs. Off-leash hours can make parks safer for all people who use them by bringing more people into the parks off-peak hours.
“The Parks Department looks forward to codifying the successful, long-standing “courtesy hours” policy,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “For the last two decades, this policy has allowed dog owners to exercise and socialize their pets in designated areas during certain hours. The daily presence of dog owners during early morning and late evening hours and fewer reports of dog bites have also made parks safer.”
Background Information about Revisions to Dog Leash Proposal
In response to comments received, the following additions were made to the original proposal:
Parks will be required to limit off leash hours from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. only (non-peak hours). No time limitations were specified in the original proposal.
The Health Department has the authority to limit or eliminate off-leash privileges in Parks if there is epidemiologic evidence that off-leash dogs during off-leash hours have cause an increase in preventable dog bites or risk of disease (such as rabies) in a park.
The amendment also requires that dog owners/walkers carry with them proof of current dog licensure and current rabies vaccination.
A total of 13,470 comments were received. Supportive comments were received from 13,268 individuals (11,312 of which were included as part of petitions) and organizations. Negative comments were received from 202 individuals and organizations. Unqualified support for the proposed changes came from local pet advocacy organizations including the Veterinary Medical Association, New York Council for Dog Owner Groups, and others. A summary of the public comments and Department responses is available at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/vet/vet-doglicense-comments-response.pdf
###
#112
CONTACT: (212) 788-5290; 788-3058 (After Hours)
Andrew Tucker ( mailto:atucker@health.nyc.gov)
Sara Markt ( mailto:smarkt@health.nyc.gov)
nyc.gov/health
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Board of Health meeting
BOARD OF HEALTH TO MEET ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2006
NEW YORK CITY – December 1, 2006 – Notice is hereby given that the Board of Health will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 125 Worth Street, Third Floor Boardroom, in lower Manhattan. The Boardroom has limited seating capacity and is filled on a first come, first served basis. A live video of the meeting will also be shown in the second floor auditorium.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of summary minutes of meeting held September 26, 2006.
(Copies to members) BOARD APPROVAL
NEW YORK CITY HEALTH CODE
2. Resolution to amend various provisions in Articles 11 and 49 of the New York City Health Code to allow use of blood-based tuberculosis diagnostic tests in addition to tuberculin skin tests. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on October 31, 2006. No one testified and no written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
3. Resolution to amend Article 167 of the New York City Health Code, defining public health hazards at bathing beaches and the violations constituting public health hazards and correcting a typographical error in Section 167.21(b) relating to accessibility of lifesaving equipment. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on October 31, 2006. One person testified and two written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
4. Resolution to amend Article 161 of the New York City Health Code to authorize the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to adopt rules regarding dogs off leash in parks. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on November 1, 2006. Thirty-nine people testified and approximately 13,470 written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
5. Resolution to amend Article 81 of the New York City Health Code affecting New York City food establishments, adding a new Section 81.50 ("Calorie Labeling"). Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A combined public hearing was held on October 30, 2006 regarding Sections 81.08 and 81.50. More than 2,200 written and oral comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
6. Resolution to amend Article 81 of the New York City Health Code affecting New York City food establishments and mobile food unit commissaries, adding a new Section 81.08 ("Trans Fat"). Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A combined public hearing was held on October 30, 2006 regarding Sections 81.08 and 81.50. More than 2,270 written and oral comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
7. Resolution to amend Article 207 of the New York City Health Code regarding birth certificates for transgendered individuals. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on October 30, 2006. Eighteen people testified and forty-nine written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
NEW YORK CITY – December 1, 2006 – Notice is hereby given that the Board of Health will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 125 Worth Street, Third Floor Boardroom, in lower Manhattan. The Boardroom has limited seating capacity and is filled on a first come, first served basis. A live video of the meeting will also be shown in the second floor auditorium.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of summary minutes of meeting held September 26, 2006.
(Copies to members) BOARD APPROVAL
NEW YORK CITY HEALTH CODE
2. Resolution to amend various provisions in Articles 11 and 49 of the New York City Health Code to allow use of blood-based tuberculosis diagnostic tests in addition to tuberculin skin tests. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on October 31, 2006. No one testified and no written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
3. Resolution to amend Article 167 of the New York City Health Code, defining public health hazards at bathing beaches and the violations constituting public health hazards and correcting a typographical error in Section 167.21(b) relating to accessibility of lifesaving equipment. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on October 31, 2006. One person testified and two written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
4. Resolution to amend Article 161 of the New York City Health Code to authorize the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to adopt rules regarding dogs off leash in parks. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on November 1, 2006. Thirty-nine people testified and approximately 13,470 written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
5. Resolution to amend Article 81 of the New York City Health Code affecting New York City food establishments, adding a new Section 81.50 ("Calorie Labeling"). Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A combined public hearing was held on October 30, 2006 regarding Sections 81.08 and 81.50. More than 2,200 written and oral comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
6. Resolution to amend Article 81 of the New York City Health Code affecting New York City food establishments and mobile food unit commissaries, adding a new Section 81.08 ("Trans Fat"). Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A combined public hearing was held on October 30, 2006 regarding Sections 81.08 and 81.50. More than 2,270 written and oral comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
7. Resolution to amend Article 207 of the New York City Health Code regarding birth certificates for transgendered individuals. Notice was published in the City Record on September 29, 2006. A public hearing was held on October 30, 2006. Eighteen people testified and forty-nine written comments were received.
(Copies to members) BOARD CONSIDERATION
AM-NY Poll
In September "Time Out New York" created an online poll that used two answer choices that were clearly designed to skew the response:
"A controversy in a Queens Park has the New York dog world barking. Should off-leash hours in parks be curbed citywide?"
"a. Yes, dogs should be leashed at all times in city parks."
"b. No, it's vital for dogs to have some time to run wild."
AM-NY just asked a question that was simple and to the point:
"Should dogs always be on leashes in city parks?"
Here is an article regarding the results.
"Poll: Overwhelming majority of city residents want dogs leashed
12/4/2006 7:19:00 AM
The daily weekday newspaper, AM NY, conducted a poll of New York City residents from Friday, December 1st to Sunday December 3rd. The question came on the heels of the court ruling granting the Parks Commissioner the authority to designate off-leash areas outside of dog runs, and just before the Department of Health rules on whether or not to allow the Parks Commissioner to relax the leash law in city parks. The current health code states that dogs must be leashed in all public areas which include city parks.
The result of the poll comes as no surprise to the Juniper Park Civic Association. For months, the off-leash crowd has been ridiculously suggesting that JPCA is a small group of dog haters because we do not want to see dogs run loose in city parks. However, this poll proves that there are a lot more people out there that feel the same way, and we are sure the vast majority of them harbor no hatred toward dogs. They are just concerned with the safety of people.
More than 1700 votes were cast, and out of those, more than 1500 people voted "yes" while just over 200 voted "no" to the question of, "Should dogs always be on leashes in city parks?"
Will NYC Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden and company cater to the off-leash fringe and vote in opposition to the majority of New York City residents that they are sworn to protect? Tune in tomorrow, when the Board of Health makes its vote on the matter.
"A controversy in a Queens Park has the New York dog world barking. Should off-leash hours in parks be curbed citywide?"
"a. Yes, dogs should be leashed at all times in city parks."
"b. No, it's vital for dogs to have some time to run wild."
AM-NY just asked a question that was simple and to the point:
"Should dogs always be on leashes in city parks?"
Here is an article regarding the results.
"Poll: Overwhelming majority of city residents want dogs leashed
12/4/2006 7:19:00 AM
The daily weekday newspaper, AM NY, conducted a poll of New York City residents from Friday, December 1st to Sunday December 3rd. The question came on the heels of the court ruling granting the Parks Commissioner the authority to designate off-leash areas outside of dog runs, and just before the Department of Health rules on whether or not to allow the Parks Commissioner to relax the leash law in city parks. The current health code states that dogs must be leashed in all public areas which include city parks.
The result of the poll comes as no surprise to the Juniper Park Civic Association. For months, the off-leash crowd has been ridiculously suggesting that JPCA is a small group of dog haters because we do not want to see dogs run loose in city parks. However, this poll proves that there are a lot more people out there that feel the same way, and we are sure the vast majority of them harbor no hatred toward dogs. They are just concerned with the safety of people.
More than 1700 votes were cast, and out of those, more than 1500 people voted "yes" while just over 200 voted "no" to the question of, "Should dogs always be on leashes in city parks?"
Will NYC Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden and company cater to the off-leash fringe and vote in opposition to the majority of New York City residents that they are sworn to protect? Tune in tomorrow, when the Board of Health makes its vote on the matter.
Friday, December 01, 2006
A note to the lunatic fringe off-leashers
Be careful what you wish for.
"The court is keenly aware that while it can dispose of the legal issue presented, the broad emotional effect of the issues raised will remain. In the face of the angst and vitriol exhibited herein, common sense would dictate that something more than an "unwritten policy" governing the off-leash use of parkland by dogs, which is known by few and misunderstood by many, is required in this instance.
With this in mind, the statement by the respondent's counsel during oral argument, as amplified in writing, that respondent's will formalize the details of the current off-leash policy within the Park Rules, is, hopefully, more than mere puffery.
The alternative is simply more endless litigation over what is, inherently, an administrative and political problem."
The above qoute is an excerpt from Judge Kelly's ruling that the commissioner of parks does have the authority to allow people to run their dogs unleashed in city parks. At least now this will force the department of parks to formalize their "unwritten" rule changes under the procedures required by CAPA. I believe a lot more voices will be heard this time around.
"The court is keenly aware that while it can dispose of the legal issue presented, the broad emotional effect of the issues raised will remain. In the face of the angst and vitriol exhibited herein, common sense would dictate that something more than an "unwritten policy" governing the off-leash use of parkland by dogs, which is known by few and misunderstood by many, is required in this instance.
With this in mind, the statement by the respondent's counsel during oral argument, as amplified in writing, that respondent's will formalize the details of the current off-leash policy within the Park Rules, is, hopefully, more than mere puffery.
The alternative is simply more endless litigation over what is, inherently, an administrative and political problem."
The above qoute is an excerpt from Judge Kelly's ruling that the commissioner of parks does have the authority to allow people to run their dogs unleashed in city parks. At least now this will force the department of parks to formalize their "unwritten" rule changes under the procedures required by CAPA. I believe a lot more voices will be heard this time around.
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