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1. CuriousResident
   Member

   Dog Leash Enforcement
   The Riverside Police Department has responded to calls for residents meeting in the parks with their dogs off leashes in violation of Village Ordinance. These calls to the police department have increased exponentially of late to the point that the police department can no longer take a warning only approach.
   The Riverside Police will now cite all dog handlers and owners who violate village ordinance by having their dogs off leash in public areas be they parks, common areas, parking lots or wherever.
   It was the hope that a warning first approach would gently nudge offenders to do the right thing and free up police to tackle more pressing issues in the Village. Sadly this approach has not worked if the dramatic increase in complaints is an indicator.

   I'm surprised by this, but maybe I shouldn't be...

   Posted Tuesday Jan 10, 2012 15:02 #

2. PAR4
   Member

   As someone that spends a fair amount of time walking/running/riding throughout the village, I think this is a good move. I have had MANY instances of unleashed dogs approaching me, my kids and my dogs - what do I do....pet them or kick them? Who knows how friendly they are. Is the village liable in any way if an unleashed dog bites somebody because we don't enforce the law?

   Posted Tuesday Jan 10, 2012 15:11 #

3. CuriousResident
   Member

   Agreed to a point, but it also makes sense to allow them somewhere to meet.

   I don't participate in the Saturday(?) morning gathering at Swan Pond, but it seems a reasonable activity to define/regulate.

   Posted Tuesday Jan 10, 2012 15:34 #

4. anonymous
   Member

   The dogs and their owners certainly can meet other dogs with their owners in the park. With their dogs on leashes. What's the problem?

   Posted Tuesday Jan 10, 2012 15:49 #

5. CuriousResident
   Member

   anonymous, it appears we should infer from your post you are not a dog owner.

   Dogs (larger than lap dogs) need exercise and greatly benefit from socialization.

   Resident dog owners pay taxes at the same rates as non-dog owners, so it seems reasonable to allow a limited "dog play time" in a defined area for them to exercise/play; it's not like asking for no leash laws.

   Posted Tuesday Jan 10, 2012 16:29 #

6. anonymous
   Member

   If the law is that dogs must be on a leash, then obey the law.
   If you don't like the law, then work to change it.
   Or organize an effort to create a dog park. Or fence in your own yard. Or go to the forest preserve or any of the picnic groves along Des Plaines Ave.

   I have been attacked by a dog which was not on a leash.

   I enjoy very much watching people play with their dogs at the big ball park. The dogs are engaged, chasing a frisbie or a ball. I have not seen more than one dog at a time play in the big ball park. If the police have taken the effort to alert the community that they will no longer just warn disobedient dog owners but will actually ticket them, then this must be a problem. Too bad. Like everything, it only takes one offender to ruin it for the rest of us.

   Posted Tuesday Jan 10, 2012 21:59 #

7. CuriousResident
   Member

   anonymous, I agree with you.

   Unfortunately law is very black and white and can "punish" the majority because of the minority. Not the same, but kind of like the "no picnics" law.

   Posted Wednesday Jan 11, 2012 09:10 #

8. chrisrobling
   Member

   total bummer for man's best friend. as a one-time bite victim, i oppose leash laws. i also bum out at the whiny 1/100 of 1% who yammer about it. go ruin your own day, don't make life miserable for dogs and their owners.

   another threat to r-side dogs: the coyotes are everywhere. i don't think the foxes are aggressive, but watch out for any lap dogs left outside. the coyotes might munch on them.

   Posted Wednesday Jan 11, 2012 09:54 #

9. PAR4
   Member

   Chris - were you bitten by an unleashed dog here in town? I'm all for a constructive location for owners to let their dogs run free and socialize, but it should be in a place that is not frequented by non-dog people or kids. Even the friendliest dog unleashed and running at you can be a 'terror' to someone not dog friendly or naive.

   I've also seen countless unleashed dogs running a fair distance from the owner and doing their business out of their sight - to be picked up later, on the bottom of a shoe.

   As a dog owner my whole life - usually multiples - I agree a leash isn't always 'convenient', but it's for the safety of the animal and surrounding citizens (and their pets).

   Posted Wednesday Jan 11, 2012 10:39 #

10. EricSundstrom
    Member

    I too enjoy seeing the dogs at big ball park chasing frisbee's and tennis balls. As usual the squeeky wheel in this town gets oiled thus a few curmudgeon like complaints creates more work for our police dept. That said I do think when walking your dogs they should be on a leash. The possibility of creating a dog park was investigated by the Parks and Recreation Dept. The upshot was it would cost a pretty penny to build and maintain. Then there was the problem of where to locate it (since fenceing it would be a requirement). I am unaware of any final decision.

    Posted Wednesday Jan 11, 2012 10:47 #

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