Brooklyn Pups Greeted with New Sign in Prospect Park

Brooklyn dog owners have been at a loss about where to bring their furry friends in the borough, and some new signs reminding them they're not welcome in Prospect Park have locals in an uproar. The Brooklyn Paper reports that the new signs, which states "Dogs are permitted only on the paths around the ballfields," have locals thinking "park officials are arbitrarily enforcing regulations and unfairly targeting their four-legged friends." If your pup is found outside of the designated perimeters, or without a leash, it's a $100 fine. One park-goer says it's frustrating that the park cops "strictly enforce dog rules, but they turn a blind eye to everything else that takes place in the park” -- and ticketing is expected to go up now that the signs are in place. Meanwhile, those raccoons are just walking around like they own the place.

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By Jen Carlson in News on October 15, 2008 1:21 PM

Comments [rss]

bklynpetunia

Uh, no Roe, that's not what Famdoc's comment was saying. By your logic, we should also ban all picnickers, BBQ'ers and perhaps bike riders too, because a percentage of them are irresponsible. Judging by the litter all over the park on Monday mornings, the % of irresponsible picnic people is higher than the other segments of irresponsible park-users hands down.

I let my dog offleash in the park every day and we follow the rules. Those signs refer only to the ballfield areas, and honestly, they're there because people were letting their dogs run on the field during games, mess up the sand, bark at the maintenance workers, and so on. So be it - there's still lots of space elsewhere in the park. Dog owners tend to be more of a self-policing bunch than others in the park - off-leash hours were a hard-won privilege, not to be jeopardized by the laziness/obliviousness of a small percentage of us. A little nagging is a fair price for freedom.

roe

#6, famdoc's comment says it all. While there are many responsible dog owners--and we really, really appreciate you all--there are unfortunately a lot more who do not properly leash, curb and clean up after their pets, who let them jump or approach people walking by, etc. That creates a dangerous and unsanitary condition for everyone.

It's a lot easier and safer to keep all dogs out of the park than it is to try to run after and ticket all the irresponsible owners, and to clean up the mess they make. If people are upset about it, why not campaign for a dog run, or pool your money for an independent dog park, the same way neighbors work together to make a community garden?

NannyState

Just don't take Fluffy to Rodney park.

hulaedwyn

As far as I know, these signs are only in the area around the ballfields. Which is only a small part of the park. I'm a dog owner, and this seems fair.

Felix Hoenikker

Perhaps the cat-kicking guy can enforce this.

Nick S

How is dogshit not plausible???

handsomedevil

Jeez, so much for taking the pup to Prospect Park. I really don't see the logic in confining them to paths - what is the problem, exactly? (Brooklyn Paper mentions "wear and tear" on fields, and dogshit, neither of which are really plausible.) AFAIK, they don't even have this rule in Central Park.

fugothamist

i hope this applies to all types of dogs, including those that bbq and leave garbage everywhere

everyAframe

I hve a dog. He stays on a leash on walks where there are people around (i.e. New York City vs. open land in Colorado on summer vacation). He also stays on paths in park. WTF is so hard, folks?

smitty

People trash that park every weekend. it is crazy to go jogging there in the early evening and to see the plastic plates and cups and wrappers littered everywhere.

Pull My Finger

Dog hating bastards.

famdoc

I'm sure I'm going to get flamed on this one, but, as a dog owner who walks my dog in Prospect Park twice daily, I think some of my fellow dog-owners think their pets are somehow privileged and I see flagrant abuse of our beautiful park that sometimes exceeds reason. Besides, some of the dog people in the park are weirdos.