11 Years Ago

Well, it seems like some things never change. At least, from a legal standpoint, New York City officials can't claim ignorance of the problem. It has been thoroughly documented. Would any judge rule in favor of the city in a personal injury lawsuit resulting from an unleashed dog in a city park?

Here are some 11 year old opinions from the New York Times:

Don't Limit Park Rangers Pursuing Dogs Off Leash
Published: June 18, 1995

To the Editor:

It is ridiculous for dog owners to complain about the crackdown on leash-less dogs in the parks when they have been flagrantly disregarding the law for years. Those of us who are not dog lovers or dog connoisseurs should not be expected to know which ones are dangerous as we meekly try to jog by while they all run about in wild packs. Dog owners sometimes reassure me when I cringe or shriek -- "Oh, don't worry; Fluffy doesn't bite!" -- as if I'm supposed to know that about Fluffy. Dogs should always be on leashes. And if they're so big they can't get enough exercise without being let off the leash, then they shouldn't be kept in New York apartments. KATE FLANAGAN Manhattan


Don't Limit Park Rangers Pursuing Dogs Off Leash
Published: June 18, 1995

To the Editor:

As far as I'm concerned, Park Rangers can't be too aggressive in dealing with dog owners ("Pet Owners Growl: Rangers Are Too Dogged," June 4). Many mornings I run around Washington Square Park and see many dog owners ignoring signs instructing them to keep their dogs leashed. One section of the park has been turned into a dog run, which is a ridiculous waste given all the money and work that went into restoring this beautiful park. And now another section is being destroyed by dogs. PAUL K. PICCONE Manhattan


Barking and Off the Leash, Dogs Spoil Stuyvesant Park
Published: June 11, 1995

To the Editor:

Dog owners break the law daily in city parks other than Riverside ("Pet Owners Growl: Rangers Are Too Dogged," June 4). My apartment is opposite Stuyvesant Park, and every morning from 7 to 9 and evenings from 5 to 8 there are many dog owners present in the park with unleashed dogs. These owners, busily conversing with each other, allow their dogs to bark constantly and to run wild in and out of areas planted with flowers.

One morning I approached a group of them to ask if they could please stop their dogs from barking so much. They looked at me as if I was intruding on their turf, and didn't respond. So I repeated the question just in case they hadn't heard, but they still didn't respond.

A dog owner in the article reasoned that enforcement officials should be pursuing crack addicts in the park rather than dogs off the leash. But the reality is that any behavior that disturbs the peace by two- or four-legged animals is and should be a justifiable target for law enforcement. SANDY BERGER Manhattan