The proposal on the table is to open up selected parks where dogs will be allowed to run at will and without a leash! This is not in a fenced in area, but the whole park. Don't believe me? Check out the official Cupertino City web site: http://www.cupertino.org/dog. This is for dogs off-leash. The city is also spending an unknown amount of money in a survey asking the residents their opinion.
This is one of the stupidest ideas that have even been mooted. Can you imagine the havoc this will cause? Consider the following:
* The parks will be full of POOP. If the dogs run wild in the park will the dog owners run after them to collect the dog poop? The parks are going to the dogs!
* Dogs are pack animals. When they meet a fellow dog, there is the usual banter between them. The battle of wits for top-dog is on. When this gets emotional, watchout. You will not longer be a spectator, instead you will be forced to join in. I've seen dog owners in front of my home, unable to control their dog and being dragged around. How is this going to work when a dog is off-leash and has the entire park to run in?
* Children's health hazard. Most of the parks have children's play areas with slides and swings. Dogs tend to mark their territory by peeing at the poles. Is this what you want in the parks? Who will clean the play area?
* People safety. We tend to use the parks for picnics and leave food around on blankets when we play. The parks are beautiful and well kept and can be used as picnic areas. Will be food be safe when dogs are off-leash? Who will control them?
* The liability issue. When kids run around, dogs tend to chase them. If this happens and when a kid gets injured, who is liable? is the city willing to take on this liability?
The Cupertino council is nuts to take this on. They just establish a 'fenced in' dog park and be done with it. Instead they are spending public money on a survey over an idiotic and unworkable proposition.
