Gothamist: Dog Size-ism on the Upper East Side

smalldogpeople

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:53:09 -0500

Just seeing this for the first time but since I’ve been fighting this since March...... Community Board8 is damned for making decisions based on not doing their homework! Small dogs were initially given 2000 of the 6300 sq feet of the new run until the large dog owners objected to losing space they claimed was needed for the safety of their large dogs. At a CB8 meeting, with no small dog owners present to speak up, they granted their wish & removed the small dog run. We found out after the fact & not only fought back but proved the significance of this neighborhood's small dog population & their need for a safe off leash space. We completed a dog census with over 100 apt buildings in a 10 block radius [50’s-70’s] of the new run which confirmed that 78% of this neighborhood's dog population is small dogs. Also, if you want to reference Tompkins Sq, you should know that "The year before the small dog run was built at Tompkins Sq Park there were a reported 67 injuries & 1 death to small dogs. The year after the small dog run was built there was not 1 reported injury or death.* [NY Tails, current issue]. Safety is the #1 issue! Now it seems they are giving us a "temporary" 1000 sq ft because they [Parks Dept] does not want to go back & re-do the design. 78% of the dogs are getting less than 16% of the run! Everyone from Parks Commissioner Benepe & others at Parks, to City Council & CB8 are well aware of the stats & the clear need for a sizeable small dog run yet they have chosen to ignore them & proceed with a plan that disregards the needs of this community’s dog population and their tax paying owners.

medium dog

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:25:08 -0500

There's no heliport at east 63rd street. Are they talking about that big concrete platform on the east river between 60th & 61st?

nil

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:43:35 -0500

I have a small/medium dog (22lbs) and personally I prefer that small and large dogs be separated. A friend of mine brought his dog to a dog park where he saw a large pit-bull mix quickly grab and snap the neck of a smaller dog (I don't remember what kind) unprovoked. Fact is, even though dominance is not necessarily determined by the size, smaller dogs are not equipped to stand up to attack (or even rough play) of significantly larger dogs. I also think that people should use good judgement in determining where to allow the dog to run. The "big" greyhound should be allowed in the small dog run if that's where the personality is suited (my neighbor has a greyhound just like the one described). The same can be said for geriatric dogs.

greyhounds are love

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:16:25 -0500

my "big" dog (greyhound) loves little dogs. he ignores big dogs, but he always wants to meet the little ones (well, except for jack russells as they are too hyper for him). it makes for good comedy :) maybe he's really a little dog at heart?

ABC Girl

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:07:34 -0500

I have two Yorkies who love big dogs but can't handle their roughness or weight. Two dog parks would be nice-- one for dogs under 20 pounds and one for dogs over 20 pounds. I don't think that's too much to ask.

carolitajohnson

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:37:24 -0500

I'd just like to point out that not all small dogs are chihuahua's with rhinestone crowns and booties! My 13 pound dog was a scruffy, hardy little mutt. I used to bring her into the big dog run in Tomkin's Square, but then one day a big dog decided to start picking on her. She got nervous, and then next thing we knew, the whole pack of big dogs was chasing her around the park, totally putting her off the big dog run. She used to be fearless around big dogs, but by this time she was an old lady in dog years, and not up for standing up to intimidation anymore. So, we switched to the small dog run next door. (Still, there was a swarthy red pitt bull who'd jump the fence now and then and send everyone running!)

y

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:30:07 -0500

Will a small space for smaller dogs really take away THAT much room for the big ones? It seems like the big dog runs are usually considerably more sizable. Besides, dogs just run around in circles anyway. To be honest, its kind of cruel to keep such a large dog in such a small apartment, small dogs are much more suited to city life. (Though I applaud anyone who gives a (good) home to a dog who would otherwise be in a shelter or homeless)

hugomania

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:54:07 -0500

give us a break. it's more often the smaller dogs who don't play well with others...the pesky little creatures yappin' up a storm, and nipping/biting at every other dog and person in site -- on the street, in the elevators, on the dog run... we've got a bigger dog and he's continuously brutalized by the ill-tempered smaller breeds... we've seen too many of them go bonkers in the dog as if they've never seen another dog... we'd be happy if the nastier (not all)little mutts just stayed home. and we hate their cutesy little outfits, too. geez, they're dogs, not dolls.

doggiemama

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:02:20 -0500

I agree with Dognamedpickles - when I lived in the EV I noticed many dog owners who valued "toughness" over anything else (bringing unaltered males to the dog run and letting them run around still wearing their spike/prong collars, etc) and I used to see serious fights on the big dog side of the run fairly often. I have a medium-small dog (23 lbs), and I don't think I ever saw a real fight on the small dog side. In theory, dogs of all sizes should be able to get along, but I think separation by size is just safer. The fact is that fights happen, no matter what size dog (or what kind of owner). Two big dogs fighting is scary and can obviously result in serious injury, but if a big dog attacks a significantly smaller dog, it could be fatal.

enid

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:46:56 -0500

I own two small dogs, and live in fear that an annoyed larger dog will kill one of them during off lease hours in the park. Yes, I do believe separation is good. I wish Mr. Milan were based on this coast, he's pure genius.

Dog gone

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:36:00 -0500

Why don't they give the doggie-bathrooms, too? I'm tired of people letting their muts defecate and urinate all over the sidewalk, cars, and garbage bags that city workers have to pick up. Dog owners in this city have become too self-entitled and place pampering their pets above common respect for their fellow human beings.

IvyLeagueGrunt

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:46:38 -0500

Big dogs have a greater need for room to run around than the little dogs do. The little rats already get enough exercise peeing on every inch of the damn apartment after drinking their own little glass of champagne. Give the big pooches some love for a change

don diego

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:22:24 -0500

One dog run, extending out over the river, with no fence at the end. If we're all lucky the owners will follow their pooches right off and we'll all be better off.

Everyday Weekender

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:19:28 -0500

aww.. they look so cute though..

dognamedpickles

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:15:34 -0500

I live by Thompkins Square Park and it has separate large and small dog areas. It works well for that area I think because the dogs in the EV are a little more aggressive. There's always a little-dog-owner who brings their french poodle into the big dog side and then is mortified that it gets bumped or dominated. The UES could probably use one.

dogtown

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:08:06 -0500

i think two parks broken down by OWNER size would work better. seriously, think about it.