Brooklyn Pups Have Nowhere to Go

The Brooklyn Paper reports that downtown Brooklyn is going to the dogs, with more and more canine-owning residents moving in, and little space provided for them to walk and play outdoors. Metrotech Commons, between Jay Street and Flatbush Avenue, was a canine hotspot, but the pups have recently been prohibited from the space. Metrotech Business Improvement Director Mike Weiss explained: “if the dog is doing his number on the lawn, it could be unsanitary. You can just clean up so much, and you can’t clean up wet stuff.” What's a pup to do? In the past community members have rejected proposals for dog runs, though one in McLaughlin Park might be reconsidered. Until that day comes, the temporary solution has some residents upset; seems "dogs are doing their business in front of the [BellTel] building, and the smell is starting to be pretty strong."

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on July 30, 2008 12:01 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

That dog above looks like Leona Helmsley's "Trouble", bounding with joy over making the Forbes 400 list.

Spirit of 76

Wolves (dogs brethren) don't live in split level ranches they live in SMALL dens - the issue is exercise not the size of the apartment.

Wolves don't live in dens. They sleep in dens. They spend most of their day outside hunting for food. Dogs don't spend most of their time outside.

JacqueMehoff

MetroTech is a great place to work, no dogs allowed.

thank goodness. No one lives in MetroTech.

You don't bother me and I won't bother you and your dog.

rarelement

Wah wah wah. Just because you aren't allowed to own a dog in your fifth floor walk-up doesn't mean other New Yorkers shouldn't enjoy the love and companionship one offers. Responsible pet owners have every right to petition the city for well maintained dog runs that aren't at the expense of other amenities.

Fort Greene Park has off-leash hours, but is far enough from parts of Clinton Hill to make us want a dog run of our own for all hours.

fsrg

So lets see you people want a city with no dogs, no kids and no bikes - sounds great!

Anyone who thinks the size of a dog is a major factor in its 'urban' appropriateness - doesnt know anything about dogs. Some 100lb dogs are perfectly happy living in a small apartment (with exercise) and some 10 lb dogs arent.

Wolves (dogs brethren) don't live in split level ranches they live in SMALL dens - the issue is exercise not the size of the apartment.

And finally while ill trained dogs (children, adults etc...) are a problem - people walking dogs generally adds street life and saftey to a neighborhood - especially at late/early hours and if I lived in the waste land that is Metrotech at 6AM - I'd be very happy to have every dog walker I could find outside.

JMH

Yeah, here's an idea, don't move with your dog into a neighborhood without a lot of space for dogs and then complain that there isn't much space for dogs. Plenty of room out past Prospect Park.

WorksInDUMBO

There's a huge, quite nice dog park on the hill on Columbia Heights, right by the Watchtower. Dogs are also allowed in Cadman Plaza Park (the little one behind the WWII memorial) before 9am. (No, I am not a dog-owner--I'm just a busybody)

folly

I have to stick up for the responsible dog owners out there (we do exist). Well cared for dogs can be excellent pets in NYC, if people are prepared for it and choose the right type of dog for their life! Any responsible dog trainer can tell you the same. (Are you also saying that babies shouldn't be legal in NYC? I'm glad you grew up in a magical land of wonder.)

Not all of us let our dogs do their thing in the middle of the sidewalk or what have you and leave there it there for everyone else. Mine was trained to use the facilities at the curb by the time he was 4 months old, as well as obedience-trained. And he is licensed-yes, they legally are supposed to be-they are cheap, like $15.

JacqueMehoff

dog runs are taking over school playground space.

what does that tell you? Thompkin's sq park just got a new dog run. (not related, it's a city park not a school playground)

babyhitler

man, I usually hate toy dogs but that is one cute dog. Also, people in the city should not have dogs. This is what happens. In the beginning, most dog owners do follow the rules and clean up after their dog, than complacency and not giving a shit set in and they do their best to shit and run and try with all their might to get away with poop dumping.

nicemarmot

Yikes, dog haters galore! Plenty of dogs can be perfectly happy living in a city, which of course doesn't excuse self-entitled assholes who live in areas with no parks, don't pick up after their dogs, don't give their dogs basic training, or own dogs too big for the city (anything over 40 pounds in my mind, unless you own a huge townhouse like Will Smith and his German Shepherd in I Am Legend). Blaming responsible dog owners for the actions of a douchebag few makes you a douchebag too.

Sinchy

How many dog owners actually have a dog license?

How much do they cost? Are they a legal prerequisite to dog ownership?

Just wondering because if dog runs need to be maintained, then the city needs some revenue.

Also if I can get a ticket for urinating in public why can dogs piss anywhere they want? (like on some poor guys helmet that was locked to his bike, like I saw some oblivious dog walker let her dog do)

I think this city needs a crack down on dog doo non picker-uppers,

generate some revenue that way too.

ohhleary

I will echo the above comments, especially #3. I call dog owners in NYC "dogshit crazy."

Tgirl

[2] [3] ditto

newsflash to those who think that urban areas need to be more pet-kid-bike-car firendly: its called the "suburbs," please locate it on your GPS and promptly move there

Dude69

#2 - Try telling that to a dog owner. They are as unreasonable and feel as entitled as the stroller moms. Those who insist on owning larger than toy sized dogs in the city proper should be fined or prosecuted for animal abuse.

Spirit of 76

Dogs are simply not a good choice as pets in a densely populated urban area. They need places to do their dirty and they need roomy living spaces.