Dear Baltimore City,

Build a dog park in Mt. Vernon and we'll use it. It seems to me that if it wasn't for the dog owners, Mt. Vernon Park would be ignored for most of the time. Also, I think the city has more pressing issues (high crime, lots of homicides, drugs, and a mayor who has been indicted to name just a few) I think than to harass hard working people who want to let their dogs play off leash. Also, we would go to Canton but it closes at the ridiculous hour of 7pm. Go to New York, Philly, or Boston and they have 24/7 access to their dog parks. Stop harassing us, we're fine in Mt. Vernon.

Sincerely,

Mad in Mt. Vernon

Good! My dog was attacked by an unleashed dog. My friends puppy was attacked by an unleashed dog.
The attacking dogs were all "good" dogs, but who knows what will set a dog off?
Personally, I never let my dog off the leash, I don't want the liability if he hurts anyone or anything. Plus, its the responsible thing to do. If you want your dog to run free, buy a house with a yard.

"...dog owners have the option of using the city's dog parks if they want to let their pets run off leash" - Umm what dog parks Bob Anderson? I believe there is only one (1) fenced legit dog park and it's in Canton.

With the serious crime in the city you would think resources would be better served elsewhere than deliberately antagonizing and harassing their paying tax base. The so called "Friends" of Patterson Park have launched their own anti dog crusade as well. It is scary when it is easier to buy a bag of drugs than walk a dog off leash. The whole thing makes the county look more inviting every day.

im thinking that there are more important issues in the city that need to be fixed. A corrupt Mayor. A corrupt Police Department and criminals running wild through the streets. will i ever be proud of my city again? i miss the west coast.

This is freaking funny. The city animal control and police will not do anything about the dogs (pits) that are allowed to run lose in my neighborhood by their owners, because as I was told "they are not contained, therefore we can not do anything about them." I am afraid to go to my car in back of my house because of this, because I am never sure where the dogs are. So yah Baltimore City go after people walking their dogs in a park, but not the ones that are allowed to run lose by the owners.

kudos to the cops for getting people to put their dogs on a leash and getting them to pick up after their dogs... nothing worst then stepping in poo...

Some people just have too much time on their hands. I can maybe understand getting upset at something like a Great Dane or other large breed off a leash, but individuals complaining about small breeds strike me as irrational.

I love animals too, but I'm not really fond of their owners. I live in Locust Point and some of our neighbors have decided that the grounds around Silo Point is their new dog walking park. This is private property people. Silo Point has given our neighborhood a beautiful green space, and in return Silo Point had to hire someone to pick up the poop. People have no courtesy anymore. It's all about what's best for them.

Isnt that quite nice that the animal contro officers decide to come around when the weather starts to warm up. The city should fine the people not picking up their dogs [poop], instead of the dogs being of the leash. The city spent a bunch of money for a kiddy park on madison st, that goes unused, while there are more dogs in Mt Vernon then kids, so the best solution would be a dog park.

It's good to see the leash law enforced. It's annoying not to be able to take a walk without being subjected to barking, aggressive dogs or stepping in dog poop. I used to like dogs, but I'm getting to strongly dislike them (and their inconsiderate owners).

Sorry Mt. V socialites, you live by the same rules as everyone else although you may not think so.

I'm sick of stepping in sh!t or getting nolested by rat dogs because you are too cool or hip or preppy to leash your mongrel.

I love reading the whiny posters who obviously live in a worls where they are exempt from law (sociopaths)

I am trying to get a dog park in my area so the dogs can play but area residents are putting up a fight about it. It's OK for kids to have a park but dogs cannot. I don't have kids so I could say that the kids screaming and carrying on are a nuisance too. Dogs need space to play and run around too. And if you haven't noticed, you practically need to be a millionaire to buy a house with decent land around here.

Why are people worried about a dog, it is just a wild animal that we have changed to become "HUMAN". I would never walk around cleaning up behind an animal. If you want a farm go to the rural areas.

These people whining about getting fined for allowing their dogs off lease - the little amount they have to pay now is nothing compared to what you would have to pay if your off-leash dog attacks a child.

Hey people, the law is the law! Don't complain about being "harassed" and forget your idiotic arguments about crime and drugs--animal control officials don't and can't arrest drug dealers... for that, call the police. Every dog owner in Baltimore knows the law and knows they shouldn't have their dogs running around leash-less. No one is "out to get you," they simply want you all to obey the law. If you think dogs should be able to roam the streets freely, or that every patch of grass (including those in historic areas of the city) should be available for dogs, then lobby the city to change the law. You'll probably fail, because dogs have caused public safety problems, and at peak times of day, that park in Mt. Vernon is not usable by pedestrians and residents because dogs are everywhere and not universally behaved or controlled. I repeat, the law is the law. Deal with it.

"With the serious crime in the city you would think resources would be better served elsewhere than deliberately antagonizing and harassing their paying tax base."

Off-leash dogs can cause serious harm to other dogs and people. That makes this a serious problem. In addition, animal control officers would not otherwise be out solving homicides -- that is not what they're trained to do

Yes, I'm sure your dog is a wonderful dog, but when I go to the park, I don't know anything about the dogs there, so I don't trust them. Maybe one reason that only dog owners are in the park is that by letting their dogs run off-leash they're scaring people off. I don't like to be in the park with off-leash dogs.

And since there are bigger problems than, say, muggings, I'm sure that if you're mugged in the park one day that you'll be cool with the police not investigating it in favor of a more serious crime?

What all of these people still don't get, it's the law. And people who don't like dogs or don't want to be bothered with them, they want to enjoy the park also. They pay taxes too. Follow the law or move to a place where you can have room to run your dogs.

The law is simple. Leash your dog for the safety of it, other dogs, and other humans.

Cleaning up after your dog should not even be a debate item. There shouldn't have to be laws either...people should simply be courteous and clean up. But I am all for any citation handed out for failure to clean up after a dog!

Well done, Baltimore City. Anything to improve our quality of life is a step in the right direction, no matter how small.

I am all for leashing dogs in Mt. Vernon Park, don't get me wrong. I feel the real issue here is the schizophrenic enforcement of leash laws on the part of the City. Set the rules, and enforce them as such. Don't provide what amounts to a free pass for everyone 362 days of the year, and then decide to enforce on a whim. That's pretty much unfair to all those law abiding citizens who stand by and watch.

I agree with KAM and John - we're talking about parks in downtown Baltimore - not the rolling hills of Greenspring Valley. Dogs need space to run, but the parks in Mt. Vernon and Seton Hill are not the places. I wonder what many of these people expected when they moved to the area. (some drive their children miles away to a nice school...) The law is the law.

This is great news. Dog owners want to have it both ways. They want us to treat their poochie like a human member of our family and grant him or her all of the rights we give humans like running free in the park. But if that poochie does something, they hide behind the idea is that dogs are dogs and should be forgiven for bitings, pooping, peeing or all of the other anti-social things that humans would never do.

The timing of this is all too perfect, as I submitted a commentary article this week to The Sun. It's not been published, and may not be...but either way, I have some hope that dog owners in Mt. Vernon will begin to respect the Historic open space that is the Mt. Vernon Square.

Baltimore City's dog laws are put in place by the Dept of Health, so if you have a beef about the leash laws, see them. But I like "Mt. Vernon Resident's" general comment: petition the city if you have a problem with the law, whether you're a dog hater or a dog lover. Personally, I'm a dog hater- I think its totally unsustainable having pets. But I don't like kids either. I'm a big fan of negative population growth. So, whether its a dog park or a kid park, I tend to scoff at both.

Overall, Mt. Vernon dog owners have seriously degraded the condition of the West park in Mt. Vernon square and spring/summer concerts will unfortunately be held on dirt/mud- not much grass left to lie in.

Ticketing dog walkers has been happening in Federal Hill for some time. I'm glad to see it happen in Mt. Vernon. Thank you Baltimore City! And to dog owners--- get to know the laws! http://www.baltimorehealth.org/info/2009_01_09.ElectronicFencesStandards.pdf

Mad in Mt Veron; keep your dog on the leash. I don’t want to scoot off your dog, walk in your dog's waste and this has nothing to do with crime, and the Mayor. The Mayor is innocent until proven guilty; on the other hand your dog was caught in the act. So please be a responsible pet owner. You said you work, do you want to have to clean your shoes off because some irresponsible pet owner let their animal do their business and kept walking or have some animal jumping whether in playing or act mode all over your cloths. ABSOLUTELY NOT, SO SUCK IT UP AND OBEY THE LAW.

If you don't have a place for your dog to play, you should have thought of that before you bought one and moved into an apartment. In my opinion, if you don't have a backyard of your own for your pet to tear up and defecate in, you don't belong having the pet. You don't have a civil right to own a pet and you are rather selfish to do so.

I can't stand these whining people looking for a place to run their dogs -- WHY didn't you think of that BEFORE you got the dog? Sheesh!!!! Now quit whining, clean up your dog poop and go home.

Yes, the dogs are the problem in Baltimore not drugs. It's good to see that the police are using their power for good. Did you know the other day I stepped out of my house in Federal Hill and saw one of the local junkies shooting up w/ the help of the drug dealer right in the middle of the street? The day before that, I saw a drug deal go down right in front of school with a cop watching, did he get out of the car? Nope.

Dogs aren't the problem, the city should do some more drug busts and use the money they get from cars, houses, straight cash, etc and build us a dog park!

I'm glad to see the police doing their job! Now if only they'll come on down to Patterson Park and cite the throngs that let their dogs run rampant!

People who understand animal behavior, communication, and training know that wherever dogs gather, the rules must be the same for all. Having some dogs off-leash and some confined on leash creates two different strata and contributes, in the dogs' minds, to fears, insecurities, and defensive or protective behaviors. Even the most well-trained and best-behaved dog is going to have a different reaction if it is confined on leash and is approached or feels it is being encroached upon by a free-wheeling dog. Both dogs in an encounter must feel that they are on an even playing field, that both have either the freedom to escape if necessary or the protection that comes from restraint. If one dog has either and the other doesn't, you're entering into the domain of animal behavior that has nothing to do with leash laws, city enforcement, or owner rights, and you create -- from human error -- a situation where the dog can get an undeserved reputation simply by acting naturally to protect itself. That is not fair to either dog -- the dog who gets protective or the dog who's on the receiving end of the warning.

I have been attacked by off-leash dogs twice while walking my dog. So now, from a respectable distance, I always ask people to put their dogs on the leash as we walk by. 9/10 times, the dog owner refuses and tells me that their dog is good and he won't bother me. THAT'S NOT THE POINT!!!

This happened as recently as two days ago in Camden Crossing, a small development in my neighborhood. I asked politely for the man to put his doberman on a leash and he refused.

When I said it was the law, he said that the development was private and that he didn't have to leash the dog, and that I was tresspassing and had to leave.

I have a feeling that regardless of what the community association's rules are, and I would think that they would have something about leashing dogs and cleaning up after them, that the city's leash law would supercede the association's rules.

Needless to say, it was a very unpleasant encounter with a selfish, inconsiderate person who thinks that he's above the law and that his dog will never do anything bad. I just don't want to take the chance of being attacked by some jerk's dog, again!

Wow, we have drug dealers a few blocks away shooting people and we are posting officers in a park because people are letting their dogs play.
Great job City of Baltimore !!!!!!!!!!!!!

This issue of unleashed dogs is prevalent in the parks in the suburbs, as well.

My 5 year old son and I were walking the trails at Oregon Ridge park (where they have posted all over the place that dogs must be leashed), and a very nice big friendly golden retriever, not on a leash, ran up to my son, jumped on him, and slashed his cheek with his nails - all in a friendly attempt to play with a big stick my son was holding. All the while the dog's owners were calling the dog, unsuccessfully trying to get him to come back. My son was terrified.

Not to mention the dog poop wars going on in my neighborhood!

I'm glad I moved out of Mt Vernon. It used to be an inviting place but increasingly stuffy upper-income people moved in and started trying to make it theirs. I guess they're succeeding. I watched dogs play in that park for 10 years without problems.

It shouldn't take a law or citation for people to do what's responsible, but sadly, since it seems necessary, I'm glad the City is finally enforcing rules that are already on the books. I hope they come to Homeland next. I'm a dog owner, too, but I'm sick and tired of people exposing their unleashed dogs to traffic risks, letting them get in the way of cyclists and pedestrians, not restraining them from approaching other dogs and people, and from not picking up the poop! That is the most basic care-related chore that must be undertaken when you are responsible for another being. If you're not willing to do it, don't get a pet!!!

Dogs should be on a leash. I understand that they enjoy running, but living in Mt. Vernon, owners can't expect to allow them to run free in a tiny urban park. It's not sanitary or safe. For dog owners who obey the law, it's unfair.

I only get to Mt Vernon for Flower Mart and when I go to the Walters (that is Mt Vernon, isn't it?) so I may be butting in where I don't belong, but it seems to me that the city has an odd thing happening with its attitude toward the parks over there. Isn't Mt Vernon the same area where, just a year ago, the city allowed the MICA kid to fence off the parks altogether? Really. There is something very wrong with either my understanding - that City Parks are to be used, shared and enjoyed by all of its residents - or the City's attitude toward parks, which is what? Keep yourselves out of them?

I may be so confused that I have not been clear in stating the problem (as I see it) but I think that this is symptomatic of a larger problem than "just" dog-walking. There is something going on, here.

I own a dog. I walk my dog on leash. He's only off-leash in our fenced-in yard. Our dog has been attacked twice by off-leash dogs. I also pick up after my dog.

Dog owners need to be responsible. That means not getting a dog that needs to exercise a lot when one lives in the city and not near open space. Or it means you need to drive to the city's dog park to let your dog legally exercise off leash. It also means not allowing your dog to run off leash in a non-designated area or to rip up garden beds. One also must always pick up after his or her dog. Too many dog owners don't follow these simple rules and they ruin it for the rest of us. Sad, really.

I like it. I wish AACO Animal control would be a little more vigilant as the park closest to my house has become the unofficial off leash dog park. I once saw a high school lacrosse practice stopped in mid play while an unleashed golden retriever took a dump in the middle of the field. The oblivious owner was busy with her kid over on the playground. My dog is always leashed, I always have poopy bags and when we walk we want to be left alone. Neither of us are a fan of having some random off leash dog charging up to us with it's owner traipsing behind it singing the praises of said off leash dog. Ok, so your dog is nice but what if mine is not? You're just putting it in harms way. I also do not enjoy untangling myself, my dog or any other dog that becomes wrapped up in my dogs leash. I have had dogs come up, get tangled in my leash and snap at me or my dog as I try to free it.

I once saw an 'episode' of animal control hearings on the public access channel. There was one couple who acted completely self righteous as they whined about how their 'good dog' was attacked. It turns out the good dog in question jumped the fence where it lived and accosted another dog. The other dog was on a leash and being walked through the neighborhood by their owner. The owner of the fence jumping dog got a real surprise when the commission cited them for having an animal at large and then dismissed the complaints against the attacking dog since it was leashed and under control of it's owner and the other dog was not. Their pruney little faces just fell.

I'm glad to see the city clamp down on some of these quality of life crimes. While having unleased dogs isn't a serious crime, it does lower the quality of life in the City. What is with these selfish dog owners? If you want to have a dog then clean up after it. How hard is that? Your laziness and selfishness makes our town a worse place. And really if you care about dogs why would you have one when you don't have the room at your home to properly keep it.? I'm sure the poor things do need a lot of exercise after they've been deprived of social contact all day long. So stop your whining and be a responsible pet owner and citizen.

I'm a responsible dog owner who always leashes my dog in the city. We use the parks and greenspace for a quick poop and proper pick up...and then we walk around the city..not relying on a small park.

Please leash your dog and please pick up your mess...don't give the responsible owners a bad image.

First off, everyone needs to keep their dog on a leash in public spaces. Saying the city does not have enough dog specific spaces for them to run - which is true - is no excuse to break a very reasonable and necessary law. Even if your dog is well behaved and well trained, you never know what variables you may encounter that could make for a bad situation if the dog is not under control - other dogs, other animals, crazy people, vehicles, etc. All of these factors can be found in abundance around Mount Vernon Square any time of the day. Those who refuse to leash their dogs are failing to realize that there is a much bigger world around themselves and their pets.

Second, the city does unquestionably need more spaces for dogs to run around. Dog runs aren't exactly expensive to build and they make for good foot traffic in public spaces, more "eyes on the street" which add to the safety and vitality of our communities. Plus they're great for pooches, of course. The City should build more ASAP.

I hope my dog eats one of you when he is off his leash!!!

Every neighborhood should have a fenced and watered dog park. Druid Hill and other big parks should have exceptional facilities. Dog owners could help pay for it by a SMALL increase in dog licensing fees the city collects.
People should absolutely clean up their dog's feces or face citation. People who don't like dogs should not walk through a park that is full of dogs.

Personally, I'm tired of stepping in dog droppings and seeing the grass in the square torn up by free-roaming dogs. I think the city is doing the right thing here to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy the park, not just dog owners.

The law is the law. If you don't like it, work to get it changed.

For all the people insisting that the city build a dog park: why should my tax dollars go to subsidize your decision to have a dog in the city? Dogs DO need space to run and roam, which is why it has always seemed to me rather cruel to keep big dogs in city apartments.

Why won't the dog owners get together and petition the city for additional DOG PARKS!? Seems pretty basic to me! I resent the fact that off-leash dogs continually come up to me in Patterson Park, Robert E Lee Park, Loch Raven, Patapsco, etc. It is absolutely ridiculous. But I certainly do see the value in having good, law-abiding folks use the parks.

All responsible dog owners keep their dogs leashed unless they are on their own property or in dog park,I know that I do. It's just being respectful of others.

The city needs more dog parks.

Sorry Ben, you don't get to pick and choose where your tax dollars are spent. I get furious every time I drive past a school b/c I don't have kids and a lot my taxes go to pay for them. Why don't these parents just teach them at home!! Irresponsible.

Think Mt Vernon is bad....Riverside Park is no longer a park for people. Try going there in the evening with a small child....Dogs jump on you ,and dont dare go off the path or you will step in dogsh*t.....Dont even think of putting a blankeyt down in the summer....

I love the anti-dog people that get angry because others choose to have pets. People who get upset about the way others live their lies are hilarious.

I only walk my dog on a leash and always pick up after him. I do not agree with owners that do anything different. However, there is a serious need for more dog parks in the city and as an owner I would be happy to defray the costs with a small membership fee.
For people who don't want their tax dollars to go to a dog park: I have no children and do not plan on ever using any of the three kids parks in my area- please turn one of those into a dog park.

Dog owners are the pigeons of Mount Vernon Park. They stink up the world for everyone around them. It's too bad they can't form human relationships - then they wouldn't have to act out in this way - but it's no surprise.

Ben, I have NO children in city schools and never have but I'm not whining about my taxes supporting education. Get real. Everyone's taxes go to something they don't support. There needs to be a dog park somewhere in North Baltimore.

I have a suggestion to the dog lovers in Mt. Vernon (and the rest of the city)...make a move to Reservoir Hill! Many (if not most) of the large and elegant homes in this neighborhood actually have yards (some front and back!)...an important asset to people who not only like dogs, but to those who have children, enjoy gardening or just like to invite a few friends over for a backyard cook out in the summer. Having two large dogs, a yard small enough to maintain yet large enough for my fur babies to romp in is priceless!

Some of you people are unbelievable. First, the city only wants more money...that is why they are now coming out in force. second, THERE SHOULD BE A DOG PARK IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD! Period. Dogs are sometimes acting in place of children for some b/c their busy lifestyle necessary to live reasonably cannot support a child, or they cannot have children. A dog is a GREAT friend and companion and requires less attention. I agree that "THE LAW IS THE LAW" like so many of you perfect people have pointed out. And WE are trying to petition and change things but the politicians and lifers in this town don't give two shats. People who do not pickup after their animals are a disgrace...no argument. And for the morons saying "why should my tax dollars go...to your dog park?" Because it will remove dogs in the other parks. And where do you think most of you tax dollars go anyways? Welfare programs, other gov't programs, repaving roads and then ripping them up to fix pipes a month later and then repaving them, broken school systems, mayors pocket, drug dealers, fiends, touts, mayors employees for gifts...and I can go on. WE as dog owners and tax paying citizens are fed up with people like you, and the political crap that runs this city. And one final thought that I live by..."never trust a person who doesn't like dogs!" There is a reason for that saying...just look around Baltimore!

I am so sick of these people who think that it is OK for them to ignore the leash laws. Many of these individuals have no regard for other park users. I have experienced numerous incidents where unleashed dogs have come up to my leashed dog and a fight has broken out. Many of these people have the nerve to look at me like this is my fault. Yeah... I know... "but my dog is a 'good dog' who always listens to my commands."

The argument that police should ignore all but the most serious crimes doesn't hold up if you think about it at all. People that refuse to obey the law until their neighbors complain and the city has to respond are the ones wasting the time of city workers and police that could be better spent elsewhere.

Other cities have resolved this by providing the many tax-paying dog owning citizens with dog parks and runs. For some reason, Baltimore refuses to do this. In Federal Hill we have gotten the word that it's a legal liability issue. Again - other cities have resolved this problem. It's time for B'more to step up and FIX IT!

Retarded. It's the only word I can come up with. I work right next to the park, and there is nothing more enjoyable then watching the dogs romp around having fun. If you don't like the dogs off the leash, there are 3 other sections of the park that you can go to. I don't know why they don't just fence in that section of the park and make it a dog park. By the way, the law that the leash has to be 8 feet or under is especially retarded. I keep my dog on a 26 foot leash so he has room to roam. This is one more day where I am so glad I live in the county. The city sucks and always will, as long as they focus on dogs instead of the real crimes...

I'm glad the city is finally addressing this issue. I live in Mt. Vernon and constantly see evidence of folks not picking up after their dogs. It's unpleasant and makes the neighborhood look terrible. Leash or no lease, at least pick up after your dog. I think citations are in order if you don't.

In Patterson Park, it isn't animal control officers issuing citations for breaking leash laws -- it's POLICE OFFICERS! Is that really the best way for them to spend their time? Nevermind the open prostitution and drug trafficking, not to mention car and home robberies, that occur in and around that neighborhood every day.

No wonder more and more non-criminal residents are moving out of the city in droves. It's clear who's side Baltimore is on.

I don't have a dog. I work near the Mt Vernon park where the dogs run. Generally, they're all under control when off leashes and appear to get along well. I've not seen any fights. But, I sure wish the beagle (mix?) would be muzzled; it never stops barking.

Being an avid bike rider, and bike commuter, I have a justifiable fear of dogs not on a leash. I had a friend killed by a dog that ran into her on a bicycle.
So I have a solution, dogs that approach me when I am riding get a dose of pepper spray.

I call the police as well to report the incident and if possible provide a description of the criminal (the owner),

If I am walking in a park, and a dog approaches off leash I do the same.

Some dog owners like to think its ok for them to endanger others, by breaking the law.

As a dog owner, I know and understand the importance of leash laws. I do not want my dog or myself attacked by another dog. As a former city dweller, living in Federal Hill for 5 years with my dog, I also understand the importance of picking up after your dog. Trust me, I had plenty of neighbors that would not do this. I have also received a ticket for having my dog off the leash. I was in the wrong, and I knew it, and I would never run away from getting a citation. I was responsible and thus, paid the fine.

But as a city dog owner, I also know that the city has not been very hospitable when it comes to creating a dog park in certain areas of the city - especially Federal Hill and Mt. Vernon. I remember the citation officer telling me I can take my lab to Canton to their dog park. Ha! So I'm going to put my dog in the car in rush hour traffic in 90 degree Baltimore summer heat to drive from Federal Hill to Canton...hmm that makes sense. For all the people who are so annoyed by dogs off-leash, maybe if we could all work together, the problem would be solved. No more citations, no more dogs off lease in open areas near you or children, and the dogs would be able to be around other dogs off leash in a contained area. I know in at the Canton dog park, the owners are more responsible for their dogs and their poop because they feel fortunate to have this area. Maybe if the city could extend this to other areas of the city, everyone would be happy...residents, dog owners and the dogs.

I absolutely agree with Meg's post: animosity isn't going to solve our dispute. Still... I want to give my opinion as a responsible member of the Mount Vernon "dog culture", and as someone who spends a significant amount of time with my pup in the west park. In the 7 or so months that I have been at the park (every day, rain or shine), I have been privileged to meet sensitive, capable, responsible dog owners who not only pick up after their dogs but who discipline their pets as needed. I've also been lucky to get to know sensitive, capable, responsible people who love Mount Vernon, who have pride in their neighborhood, and who are willing to work hard and long to make sure that the park is safe and comfortable for all who want to enjoy it.

These are the people who are patrolling the park at all hours, who call in petty crimes, who come out to enjoy the splendor that is Mount Vernon on a daily basis (not just when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and the weather is pitch perfect).

As for the dead grass (as mentioned in another post): yes. The grass is dead. Yes. The First Thursday concerts will be held on dirt. But can we exclusively blame the dogs? What about the patch of dirt where one of the MICA installations was standing? Or the dirt from the traffic in and out of the children's tent at the book fair? Perhaps the dogs aggravate a problem that already exists due to other, human factors. Would we want to disallow students from exhibiting art in the park? Or stop picnics and festivals? Or ban First Thursday concerts? That wouldn't be a very practical solution.

It also isn't practical to oust dogs from the park and cite them as the only cause of the defilement. Dogs can't litter -- they can't throw food containers in the plantings or stub out cigarette butts on the sidewalk -- but litter is a huge problem in the Mount Vernon parks. Dogs can't make drug deals; they don't sleep on the benches; they don't have anything to do with the myriad other "quality of life" crimes that occur in the park. Where are the citations for littering? Where are the citations for those people who bathe (yes, bathe) and do their laundry in the fountains during the summer months? If Baltimore City wants to pass out citations to dog owners, it most certainly is going to have to pass out citations for other things as well.

"Overall, Mt. Vernon dog owners have seriously degraded the condition of the West park in Mt. Vernon square and spring/summer concerts will unfortunately be held on dirt/mud- not much grass left to lie in."

First of all, the reason there isn't grass in the park right now is because it's winter and therefore, the grass has died. Last summer, the grass in the west park was plush and not "degraded" by the dogs. I'm sure now that spring is here the park will be re-sodded. Also, it's not like the dogs are roaming in each section of the park, if people have a problem with the overwhelming amount of people who can trust their dogs to play off a leash, they can go to one one of the other areas. There is also no poop whatsoever in that park. I've even seen a woman pick up after my dog (before I could) when he pooped off-leash across the park. As for the poop left on the patches of grass on the sidewalk, it is clear that most owners do clean up after their dogs, if they didn't the problem would be much worse than it is right now.
The owners who let their dogs run love and want the best for their dogs. The dogs are kind, have a lot of fun together and play nicely with one another. The argument saying that we shouldn't have pets because we live in a city is completely unjustified. Whether you live in a house with a yard or a small apartment, it's important for all dogs to be socialized and get exercise away from their homes.
The reason so many people come to this park is because it truly is a joy to see your dog having fun with his friends and stretching his legs.

As a dog owner and former resident of Mount Vernon, I can't help but add my 2 cents.

First - if you own a dog and live in the city it means you obey the leash laws and pick up after your dog or when cited pay the fines. Period.

After reading all of the above - I am very pleased to see that some finally mentioned that the problems with maintenance of the parks are not to be laid singularly at the paws of the dogs and feet of their owners. Indeed, the city uses the Mt. Vernon Parks EXTREMELY heavily for Book Festival, parades, Flower Mart, First Thursday Concerts, etc. When taking in account that due to there being so limited green space in each of these parks, the percentage of the park taken up by tents and booths not to mentioned trampled by the people attending them is far higher than when held at many of the city's other green spaces.

I have watched as new sod/seeding was planted in the parks and fenced off for a period of 2 months preceeding one of the city sanctioned festivals. Then watch as the fences were removed days prior to the event to allow set-up to occur on the beautiful new grass, only to see that same grass trampled into ruts and killed by prolonged lack of sunlight the following week as the festival moves out. Weeks later when this dead grass, in perfect 4' x 8' rectangles and 'U-shaped' patterns around monuments, dries up and blows away, it amazes me that these areas of dirt/mud are blamed on the canines and their owners. Also - anyone who has attended these events, knows beyond doubt that the festival attendees and concerts goers are not dutifully respectful of the flower beds and do their own fair share (and usually more damaging) of trampling and general disruption to the flower beds.

Also - solid points were made regarding, bathers/clothes washers in the fountains, dogs not leaving behind litter/trash/cigarette butts and the like.

In my opinion, if the Mount Vernon parks are to be kept in better shape, the city should charges those holding events in the spaces high enough fees to both restore it after use/abuse & maintain it properly throughout the year.

Want to know what the west park would be like without the dog owners to police and tend to it? Visit the east park and see - an abundance of indigents, druggies, lunatics and other model citizens taking full posession of park benches as make shift living rooms. Put the pretty flowers over there. Blaming the dogs is spurious, and displaces blame onto people who enjoy the park on a daily basis, year-round, not just during planting season. If you only knew how often the dog owners have run serious crime out of the neighborhood! The gardeners aren't doing that. How about blaming the large tents from Flower Mart and the Book Fair that kills large tracts of grass every year within days? How about the art installations sponsered by the Walters Museum last year that killed the grass in two significant areas of the west park? How about the First Thursday concerts where hundreds, if not thousands, of 100+ pound people trample the west park greens for hours at end? How about the rats, squirels,homeless individuals that call the park home? The indigents who bathe in the fountain? The dog owners tolerate and even celebrate those events. Blaming dog owners and dogs of varying sizes misunderstands the problem at a very basic level. The fact is this controversy stems from a few self-interested and imperious individuals (i.e., The Unfriendly of Mt. Vernon) who believe the west park is their own private backyard garden and not an urban park serving the needs and recreational interests of all citizens and neighbors. You who don't like the dogs -- go to one of the other three park areas on your occasional visits. There is plenty of space to go around. Your customary arrogance and attempts at monopolizing the park for your own interests gets uglier and more amusing by the day!

AI often hear about people in various parks getting ticketed by police for walking their dog were it is prohibited. The parks were these tickets occur are usually in need of a dog park that is why there are so many people trying to walk dogs there. It is time the police and the parks department become more responsive to the needs of the public instead of having to be pushed by public advocacy into a decision they are perfectly capable of making on their own.

http://HappyDogNyc.com

Mt. Vernon Residents,

The comments made on this blog are disheartening to me, as the owner of Mt. Vernon's dog store, Pretentious Pooch.

I don't think some of those posting here realize that our dogs are our children and when you hurt them and you take away opportunities for them, you hurt us people too. Possibly they do know and still don't care; I want to believe this isn't the case.

This “take your dog and get out of here” attitude is just mean-spirited.

I don't know the dogs who frequent the Mt. Vernon Place park but I would guess that they are well-loved, trained, happy pups who are just having a good time with their dog friends--comparable to a fire hydrant being opened up for the community kids on a summer day. A dog's mind must be stimulated, just as a child's.

I understand the views of non-dog owning residents--I do. You absolutely must pick up your dog's poo; I don't want to step in it either. Your dog must be friendly, courteous, and obey commands like 'heel' without question. You can not let your dog rip up community flower beds.

If we are to expect the courtesy and the unspoken code of city officials looking the other way while we play with our 'children' at the park we have to be exemplary examples of how to behave and the group can't become overbearing. Mt. Vernon park has tolerated off-leash dogs for as long as I can remember. We have to fix it with the community so we can enjoy living in Mt. Vernon with our canine friends.

I am going to reach out to community leaders to see what I can do to help us all live together. We (dog owners) are going to have to give first, since we created the crisis.

Tom Berger
Pretentious Pooch
1017 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
www.pretentiouspooch.com

Unfortunately I am coming into this debate a bit late, but shame on some people and their comments. The city has two wonderful charities - BARCS and Maryland SPCA that have so many dogs that need homes. Naturally, alot of those homes end up being Baltimore City. There is an urgent need for dog parks in the city, and Baltimore needs to step it up like other major cities in the US have done. In addition, an off-leash dog or a stray turd is not the same level of crime as carrying a concealed weapon (also a $1,000 fine). Sorry - it just isn't. I'm grossed out by the people who don't pick up after their dogs as well, but rather than bitching about it and agreeing with an EXCESSIVE fine I will offer one of my extra bags or I will pick it up myself.

I have to wonder why so many anti-dog people are reading a blog for animal lovers...

I am even later than Leigh to this post, but feel it is important to share feelings regarding this crackdown, which has apparently reached all the way up to my small neighborhood park in Medfield. A park I walk my dog to twice a day so that I can throw a ball for half an hour. Can someone explain why at 7:00 am a plains-clothes policeman issued walkers citations? The only people at the park at this hour are dog walkers. No one else, ever. The only reason I can see is a serious attack against dog owners. This isn't a place where I would ever think neighbors would complain about the dogs for the reason that there aren't very many of that go there. I would be surprised if the cops get calls about dogs off-leash at all. Maybe I'm wrong, I guess they found out somehow that we use the space. But like I say, I've gone twice a day, every day, for almost three years now, and not once have I ever seen a dog out of control.
Instead, I, and many dog walkers like me, have participated in clean-ups after the trash has piled up from the humans. And really, trash isn't even that big of a problem here. I feel like this community cares and understands that we all share the space. So my question, again, is why are we under attack?

Casey - it is unbelievable, considering how many greater problems there are in this city. I urge you to write your city council member to complain about the fines. I know they were discussing instituting off-leash hours to address the issue, but I have not heard anything more.

I agree.

If this city wants to enforce dog owners to keep their dog on leashes all the time, then they should build off leash parks or partition each park with an off leash area. These city laws are pitting people against each other-that doesn't solve the problem.
I as a dog owner can complain about people who let their kids off leash, its the same principal. The one thing cities do not realize is that the dog owner populations are growing and the city must accomodate "ALL" of its citizens not only those that are afraid of dogs or don't like them. Personally I think there is something irrational about people who don't like dogs. If your afraid -stay at home. But don't come down on dog owners because dogs need to run, or what you will have is a nation of fat dogs, with fatter owners. Now that is completely unhealthy, so we can all stay home locked up in our homes? How productive is this type of law?