Thank God. I am so tired of having to warn people to get their idiot, off-leash dogs away from my dog in the park. I know they think, "What's wrong with that woman? My dog's as sweet as can be!" Well, guess what? My dog is dog-aggressive, meaning you should leave us the heck alone or risk injury to your precious pet. Off-leash dogs are a danger to everyone (drivers, passers-by, other dogs) including themselves!

It's about time! The people who get fined are the ones who flout the law. I live with 2 dogs and I wouldn't dream of letting them run wild, nor would I leave their waste where they deposit it. It's all about respecting others.

I'd also like to see healthy fines for owners who allow their dogs to bark continuously outside late at night and early in the morning.

It's about time. I can't tell you how many times I see people in Patterson Park with their dog off the leash and/or not pickng up after their dogs. It's sooooo fustrating I have two children under the age of 3 and no matter how nice you ask them that their dogs need to be leashed you get the same pissed off stare/grunt/oh he doesn't bite/and my favorite FU (in front of my kids). While I don't expect Animal Control to be there every weekend I bet the City could renovate the Senator with the revenue from this alone.

Finally.I wish it could happen in Harford county,especially with the proliferation of pit bulls in the area.Raise the stakes for irresponsible owners,I say.

didn't I just see a picture of Obama running with his new dog without a leash, cha-ching$$$$

It'd be nice if some of that money went towards a dog run in the bigger parks.

I'm glad that City Council is taking an aggressive approach to the issue of pet owner accountability. I think it is very important to make pet owner responsible for their pets. I am just have a concern with the dollar amount of the fine. It cost $950 more to leave dog droppings on the ground or walk your dog without leash. I think both could be considered a problem, I'm just concerned with the disparity in the fine amount.

I purchased a home in the Belair-Edison community a little over two years ago. On my block, I can show you numerous unit that don't put the lid on their trash cans or use them for that matter. I have in the rear of my house and, they don't even use a trash can. How about we increase the fines to those type of quality of life issues. Wouldn't you say that is just as, if not more important then letting your dog run in a field without a leash.

If you're trying to generate revenue for the city, I think this is an interesting way of doing it. Again, I would like to make it clear, I'm not saying this isn't a good revision, I just think citing people who can't properly stow there trash should be more of a priority. Since your district has one of highest level of rat infestation in the city, what type of legislation are you going to create to tackle that problem.

How about a fine for people that bark coninuously outside late at night and early in the morning? Or how about having kids of their leashes? No matter how nice you ask some parents to control their kid you get the same pissed off stare/grunt/oh he doesn't bite/and my favorite FU (in front of my dogs). Raise the stakes for irresponsible parents, I say.

;-)

yeah its about time we stop allowing dogs to play fetch...that's just great...build the dog park in Locust Point so there is a division, dogs who can be off the leash, and those horribly socialized and horribly trained dogs who can't be off the leash...congratulations KB on never socializing your dog, and i do agree with the fines for the inept people that can't pick up their dog waste.

Hopefully the city council is planning to use the fines they collect to build more dog parks in places like Patterson Park, Mt Vernon and Federal Hill

I live in Baltimore directly adjacent to a small park. The park is owned by the city but they don’t maintain it. Everything about the park has been built and maintained by the DOG owners on the block who care about it. Yes we let our dogs run free there. They all play together and are happier healthier dogs for it. Without this resource there is no way that any of us would even live in the city paying the exorbitant taxes. Without us the block would revert to a slum just like the rest of the neighborhood to the west. We are respectful, responsible dog owners who took the time to teach our beloved dogs not to be aggressive. I can tell you that I will not be sticking around for very long if I get a $1000 fine from a city that already does not serve my needs while taking my money for others. I think that this is simply ridiculous.

Maybe they should start issuing $1000 fines every time a parent allows their child run wild & unsupervised through a public place like the supermarket, the mall or Ikea ??
Maybe they will put the revenue from these fines to good use like developing plans for decent dog parks throughout the city or better yet to cover the investigation / court costs for indicting Sheila Dixon.

Thank you Jesus! Amen to the city for reining in negligent dog owners. And while we're at it... how about a $1,000 fine for parents who let their children behave like little beasts?

You know what...I agree with many of the latter comments. Funny how you fine a dog owner for accountability, but do not fine a parent for letting their kids roam around tearing up my neighborhood and throwing rocks at my windows and doors. I understand the fines for both and can agree with them, but the amount is overwhelming. I am a dog owner and take my dog for runs in the park on a leash. They get plenty of exercise doing that. The "trash" idea is rediculous because our garbage guys rarley take our trash and when they do they miss the truck with it, leaving it all over the road for me to clean up. If you are going to fine one class of people...fine them all. This is borderline profiling.

I hope they come to Traci Atkins Park in Mount Clare and fine a few people there, the city would be able to lower property taxes then, lol. Also, what about fining those horses crapping all over the roads? I'm willing to bet if the city actually will enforce the law at it's new higher rate now? i'm willing to bet that if they were inforcing it at the lower rate it would have made a difference then. The problem with any law, be it trash or dog poo is that the city doesn't inforce their own laws.

I think 1000 is way to excessive 50 or 100 is more reasonable and with the current 1000 fine we should have some new dog parks in charm city where you can let your dog be truly free

I have one question - who here can explain to me how it makes sense that the fine for an off-leash dog is now the same as the fine for carrying a concealed weapon? Anyone?

I certainly hope the city will put the proceeds from this inflated fine towards building the dog parks they have promised.

The reality is of course somewhere in the middle of what most people have posted; there *should be more places for dogs to play off lead, and at the same time dog owners must act responsibly and understand that there are some weirdos who don't love man's best friend. While I also understand that the Mayor Dixon's 3 (three) City vehicles need maintenance etc. and her friend's children need city jobs, consider that a $1,000 fine is now greater than the maximum statutory fine for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol ($500, plus prison time of course. MD. Transportation Article 27-101.) As a proud, if not fanatical, dog-owner, I am diligent if my doody retrieval, but its just poop. I agree completely with "K" about the garbage issue and rats, a significant problem in my neighborhood; there are bigger Q.O.L. issues in city.
As an attorney, I would love to get before a judge to fight such a ticket: After entering into evidence the poop and my dog, I'd argue "If the poop don't fit, it ain't my s***."

Also, thank you for posting something besides Bo Obama :) As great as I think it is, it is nice to have a Baltimore blog write about local issues. The issues of inflated fines, lack of dog parks, and keeping city residents (human and canine) happy are much more important.

My question is: what happens to those dogs when their owners can't pay the steep fine(s)? A friend living near Tacoma, WA regretfully left her backyard gate not fully latched, her dog poked its head outside when someone walked by, a neighbor called to complain it was off its leash, and an Animal Control cornered it *in its own yard*. The dog protected its property, which resulted in a huge fine. My friend was unable to pay the fine, and the dog was summarily euthanized when the deadline for payment passed. What are the plans for people unable/unwilling to pay the fine in Baltimore?

I am all for owners being responsible and keeping their dogs leashed when not in an appropriate dog run. And doubly so for picking up after their dogs! But I'm completely cynical about the motives the city has in raising the fines to this level. If they are trying to solve the problem, then the city implementing the ideas presented here about using the money towards dog parks would be one thing. But if they are just trying to find yet another source of income, then they aren't likely to really try to come up with a solution to the problem. Just generate revenue from it.

It has nothing to do with whether you dog is socialized or not, Jason. It's about responsiblity. i wouldn't let my dog run off leash...and i wouldn't let my kids run around department stores either!! Parents need to be mindful of what their kids, furry or not, are doing. A fine for parents who let their kids run 'off leash' would be great too!!

It has nothing to do with whether you dog is socialized or not, Jason. It's about responsiblity. i wouldn't let my dog run off leash...and i wouldn't let my kids run around department stores either!! Parents need to be mindful of what their kids, furry or not, are doing. A fine for parents who let their kids run 'off leash' would be great too!!

Mr. Ross, I adopetd my dog from a kill shelter, he had been abused and neglected as a puppy, his "horrible socialization" was done at the hands of his abusers not me. Many shelter dogs have behavior issues that prevent them from being off-leash. Dogs that can run off-leash should do so in a safe area like a dog park.

Here's a newsflash for many of you: children and dogs are not the same. People keep making this analogy and it's completely false.

Really, having your dog off leash is like speeding on the highway: lots of people do it, most of the time there is no negative consequence from it and no one really HAS to do it. If you get caught speeding, you accept the ticket and either slow down or are more careful not to get caught. You dont' go to the city and say "My car has made to drive faster than 60 so you have to give me roads where I can drive 100mph or I"m going to drive that fast on the highways every day."

$1000 is ridiculous for letting the dog off the leash... this is Baltimore and dogs need to run, which they cannot do in a rowhome. Granted, you should know if your dog is one that does well off the leash or not. If not, keep it leashed. I have one who responds to the verbal leash... I call, he comes, without exception. The waste pickup, I agree with. It is maddening to avoid the minefields of some of the city parks.

The solution is to build a dog park in Mt Vernon and that would settle it.
There are way more dogs then kids in Mt vernon.
Why not make the fine a million dollars and build 10 damn dog parks.

What about leaving fecal matter in someone else's trash can??? That is almost as bad as leaving a steamy loaf in front of someone's rowhouse.

People who take their fecal matter and leave it at someone else's house instead of taking the fecal matter back to their home should get a $900 fine.

I have been in Patterson Park several times when an unleashed dog has jumped on me and muddied my clothes or shoved his nose in my crotch. I've never had an "unleashed" child do that. Apples & oranges.

I think this is absurd! With a city so poisoned by violent crime, gangs and drugs you'd think this money would be better spent on raises for police officers to do their jobs better. In a dog friendly city that lacks official "dog parks" - this is just a slap in the face. If I get a fine I will pay in pennies just to piss of the ignorant people to who passed this whole thing.

The problem is not irresponsible dog owners. The problem is that the City has for years not responded to the needs of the many thousands of responsible dog owners who live in the city. Dogs need to run and they need to socialize. They are a part of our society and are vital members of our families and communities. There should be a dog run in every major park in the city (Latrobe, Riverside, Carrol, Paterson, Druid, etc). If these runs existed, responsible owners, with socialized dogs would take them there. There would not be a problem. Currently there is only ONE very crappy small true dog run in the city and it is in Canton, very far from most city residents. The solution is not to fine owners into submission. The dogs will only suffer as a result. The solution is to actually serve the needs of the citizens that pay the highest taxes in the state. Imagine what a world it would be if that could happen. This would be a very very cheep reuse of existing park land and would change and improve the lives of many thousands of city residents. Instead the City ostracizes its residents and institutes such ridiculous fines that residents will want to leave. Go figure.

Who in their right mind can afford $1000? Man's best friend seems to be Baltimore's worst enemy---$1000 for possession of mariuanna, $1000 for DUI, off leash dogs levy the same fine amount? Come on--something else is going on as this is ludicrous. $1000 bucks because Fido jumped on someone and muddied their jeans? Seriously? I am a tax paying citizen and responsible dog owner and I deserve more respect than that. Look at our parks, the city doesnt repect them or they would be in better shape than they are, and I second the trash pick up problem, Trash day on my block means just that--trash is not picked up it's strewn, And I am supposed to complain to my council person? he introduced the legislation so I know it will fall on deaf ears.

RayRay, I've had an 'unleashed' child spit on me. Equally as unpleasant as someone's furbaby muddying your clothes.

C'mon people - where does that ridiculous $1000 number come from? This is not about public safety, this is a cash cow pure and simple. Shame on the city council. Is this what they call working in the interest of city residents?

Wouldn't it be great if public safety legislation was really as easy as putting huge penalties on offenders? Its been working great for drug abusers and gun toters, eh? Keep up the good work, council members.

CJ:

My dogs (as well as MANY many others) are socialized just fine, and it is perfectly safe for them to run around the park. I'll leash my dogs when everyone else puts a leash on their kids in public parks. I can understand the penatly for not picking up after your dog, but the fine is outrageous.

RayRay:

What about when someone's child wanders into a little game of catch that two people may be playing, and a collision occurs, and the child and/or one of the people playing catch get injured?

What about all of the kids that bring their candy bars and soft drinks to the park and throw their garbage on the ground?

I fail to understand why a fine other than littering is needed for dog feces. Litter is litter, and whether it is a candy bar wrapper, a drink cup or dog poop the fine should be the same.

As for the $1000 fine for having a dog off a leash, this is absurd. The punishment should match the crime. This is just an attempt by the city to increase revenue by going after higher wage earning areas of the city.

When I had my last dog, who was not neutered, we were attacked twice by off-lead dogs. I always ask people to leash their dog politely, and they ALWAYS refuse, saying their dog is good or won't bite. But, sometimes they do and I've been bitten as a result. Why should I have to go through an ordeal like that just because you want your dog to run?

Pigtown:

What was the point for mentioning that your last dog was not neutered? Did you file a report against the owners of the dogs who attacked you? How many other off-lead dogs have you seen who have NOT attacked you or your dogs? I'm sure there have been plenty. Should we enact a law that says that it is illegal for all youths between the ages of 10-18 to be banned from parks (or leashed!) just because some people have been attacked by youths in this age bracket?

Meanwhile, City Council members want to cap the amount that tow truck companies can charge, because some of what they are charging is akin to "vehicular piracy"...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-towing0414,0,1516874.story

yeah...and charging a $1,000 fine for having your dog off leash or not picking up after him/her isn't piracy...

gimme a freaking break...

Use the money to fix the bridge into Robert E. Lee Park. Fence the open area(not the trails) and make it clear to whomever wants in that dogs run free there. If they don't like it, they can go somewhere else. Your kid can't handle nosey dogs? Go away! Same with leash aggressive dogs. Use your brain and stay away if your dog can't handle it. Make it a privilege to be there. You don't pick up the poop? You get kicked out.

Joe... my dog was lab that I rescued when he was 8, and he was too old to neuter at that point. I mentioned it because the vet had told me that some dogs might be aggressive towards him.

One person was a neighbour and I did report them. The other was a fed hill jogger who took off when i was trying to make sure my dog was ok.

All I was saying is that i ask if people will leash their dogs, and they say no. Why should I take a chance? Leashing the dog is the law, and if I ask you politely to leash your dog while I am there, I have the right to do so.

Bravo to Jon's comments!! The city has and does ignore the needs of the (growing) dog owning population. People (not all dog were owners either ) that I have shared the new fines with said "it is so ridiculous! just one more reason to think about leaving the city" Dog parks at all of the major parks addresses the needs of both sides (dog lovers and non) of this! it seems like a no brainer !!!
Oh and about the poop: it has been the consensus at my Park "sock it to the non picker upper" "fine em" Poop is unsanitary and when stuck to the bottom of my shoe is enfuriating
I have suggested empowering the citizens who see a repeat offender over and over not picking up after their dog to snap a picture of them and give as much info as you can to animal control to ensure a citation of some level- alot of us dog owners who do pick up are angered too about those who dont - I have a few in my neigborhood who are on my "say cheese!" sh.. list (ahem) J

I see a lot a heated banter here - but no real answers. I agree, dogs should not be off leash on city streets, but in a park !?! That would at least partially solve the "my dog is on a leash, why isnt yours ?" problem. The real issue is that dog owners deserve places to run their dogs off leash. The park I go to never has any problems - and everyone cleans up after their dogs. Lets DO something people, instead of just gripe. Any suggestions ?

I guess that the council members want us dog owners out of the city. When we leave they can go back to watching people fornicate on park benches, sell drugs on the swing sets and the trash blow by.

It won't be the nice dogs that stay in town. And to the person who says that her dog is so "dog aggressive," all I can say is huh? You must be incredibly irresponsible if you keep a dog like that and walk it down the streets.

I have never voted for a republican in my life- I will gladly do so the next time Mr Reisinger comes up for election. In fact I will be much more active that ever before?

BTW- what is the mayors fine for accepting the fur coat?

Hey! The Canton Dog Park is NOT crappy Jon. It's overused and overburdened by trying to accomadate the entire city AND part of the county. This park is maintained by a handful of residents who all have better things to do than pick up after other peoples' dogs; but we do it because are willing to do what it takes to keep it open.WE take out the trash, WE fix the fence when it breaks and WE are raising money ourselves to improve it. Maybe now some other neighborhoods will be willing to do the same. The city can give you land and money but will you be willing to do the work?

http://www.pattersondogpark.org/

Please visit the Patterson Dog Park website for more information about the initative to build a dog park in Patterson Park. Stay tuned for future developments, and contact the group if you want to get involved!

Yes the problem is irresponsible dog owners!
What about people who shoplift, What about kids who throw rocks at cars, what about men who beat their wives, what about... ok I'm done with this ByeBye

I'm confused, why exactly does the city owe something to people who continue to break the law and be rude to other residents about it?

It all begs the question: if you live in the city, why do you have dogs that need so much exercise? I could understand the occasional person who is forced to move to the city and already has a bouncy active animal and just can't bear to give it up. But, I dont; understand the people who know it's a problem and know it's illegal and still go out and get highly active breeds of dogs and yet don't train them or otherwise keep them active. I know of two four month old active breed puppies who are allowed off leash twice a day. Neither dog has had a minute of obedience training and the owners don't carry treats or any other incentives for the dogs to pay attention.

Oh wait, I do understand, it's general laziness on the part of the owners. They can't be bothered to walk their dog or train it in obedience, they can't be asked to take their dog to places where runnig off leash is legal or to train them in activities like agility or tracking which would give them good exercise and social skills.

Instead, they want the city to build them an area so that they ae relieved of all responsibilit for their pets.

So, I'm curious, if the city agreed TODAY to build a dog park in every neighborhood and that the parks would be built by, say, June, would you all be happier about the fines?
Because, even though the two issues are apples an oranges (or, dogs and children), they seem to be forever linked.
If there are fenced areas, you'll all be ok with other people who can't or don't use the areas being fined $1000?

RayRay:

Fines

Vandalism: $100-1,000

Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia: 1st - $100-$250, 2nd - $250-500, 3rd - min. $500/180 days

Criminal Street Gangs (participation in or assisting street gang): $1,000/1 year

Disorderly Drinking (Being intoxicated and endangering
safety of another; drinking and causing public
disturbance): $50-500/90 days and(or?) a civil citation of $150

Racing (engaging in speed contest): $20

HAVING YOUR DOG OFF LEASH: $1,000

So, apparently, having my two dogs off leash is on par with everything above...yeeeeaaaaahhhhhh........OOOOOOKKKKKK.

OK Joe you win.

Barbara - yep. Pretty much. Also, exercise is important for ALL dogs, not just the ones who are high energy. Any responsible pet owner knows the importance of EVERY dog to get exercise. Quit picking on the city's dog owners. In addition, what do you propose should be done with all the high energy dogs that are in the city's two animal shelters?

Under the new law, the fine for letting your dog off his leash, is the same as the penalty for dogfighting. In fact, penalties for more serious offenses were increased far less severely than run of the mill offenses.

For instance, these penalties all went up tenfold: Not having a rabies vaccination (from $50 to $500), not having a license (from $25 to $250), animal disturbing the peace, failure to pick up dog waste, and unleashed dogs (from $100 to $1,000).

Meanwhile, the penalties for dogfighting only doubled ($500 to $1,000), the penalty for abusing an animal went from $200 to $500, and the penalty for operating an unlicensed dog facility only went up from $100 to $250.

So today in Baltimore, thanks to the city council, abusing a dog is a less serious offense — fine-wise, at least — than letting one off his leash, or not picking up his poop.

Barbara,

My Golden retrievers are very well trained and I used to run with them daily on leash. However, a few years back a careless driver crushed my knee by running a red light because he was late for work. He got a $100 ticket for running the light despite changing my life forever. Had nothing so I couldn’t sue him. So destroying someone else’s life is less severe than playing fetch with your dog???!!! Because of this I NEED a park to exercise my dogs as I can’t run with them anymore. It is not Lazy to take your dogs out to play fetch. It is a vital activity for their mental and physical health. But now I get a $1000 fine because someone might get a little mud on their pants. So doing what is right for my dogs gets me a greater fine than abusing them. As for the city providing park space. Yes I would take my dogs there to play and I would help maintain them. Yes the issues are directly connected because there is no where for the dogs to go so we use the parks out of necessity. I wouldn’t break the law if there were somewhere to go. By the way I already help maintain the park that I live by because the city won’t do it. All of the dog owners do, because we are the ones using the park.

Posted by Anonymous:
"These penalties all went up tenfold: Not having a rabies vaccination (from $50 to $500), not having a license (from $25 to $250), animal disturbing the peace, failure to pick up dog waste, and unleashed dogs (from $100 to $1,000). Meanwhile, the penalties for dogfighting only doubled ($500 to $1,000), the penalty for abusing an animal went from $200 to $500, and the penalty for operating an unlicensed dog facility only went up from $100 to $250."

If this is accurate, it is truly unbelievable, though consistent with the ineptitude of Baltimore's politicians when trying to address a problem. The fact is, there were fines on the books before, but they were never enforced and therefore never had a chance to be effective. When officers started handing out citations, the universal surprise was not the amount, but the citation itself. Had Baltimore taken this issue seriously before, it would not have had to resort to the new over-reaching fines.

I support some fine for off-leash violations, but the degree of these increases can only be seen as a cash generator for the City on the backs of its pet-owning population, which the last time I checked, included a heck of a lot of citizens whose pull as consumers and taxpayers should not be taken for granted. If all the pet owners on my block left the City, it would take nearly all of the responsible homeowners out of my area. It is sickening to me that the City is more willing to accommodate pet abusers and dog-fighters with smaller fines and increases rather than work to promote a solution with pet-owning citizens. The only explanation has to be that off-leashed dogs are easier to catch than dog fighters or drug dealers, so the City saw an opportunity to institute a hefty fine and line its pockets. If Baltimore was truly serious about public safety, it would have enforced the code provisions already in place for these offenses -- as well as for other things like secure, adequately-high fencing, and the conditions that lead to animal abuse.

Shame on Baltimore for these embarassing ordinances and gouging fines. One more reason I can't wait to move out of the City when the market improves. There are plenty of other municipalities who manage to enforce smart, reasonable, rational ordinances while making pet-ownership and recreation welcome, AND, they keep crime down, too, and host effective transportation systems. Those are the places where I'd much rather live and pay taxes.

Guess they should just raise the fines for everything else and then there will be no problem because it will take away 80% or the arguments being posted here.

These fines are all about the city raising revenue and have nothing to do with making the city safe from dangerous dogs. How can anyone rationalize a $75 fine for running a red light or a $500 fine for actually abusing a dog and a $1000 fine for letting a dog run off leash in a city park? Just totally nuts. I can't believe I live in a city where blasting through a red light or kicking a dog down a street is seen as less dangerous than letting a dog get some exercise in a park. I know that the cynical "law and order/I'm angry at the world" types love this, but I bet they would be the first to scream if they got a $1000 fine for running a red light.

No, Barbara, they need to enforce current laws, and get rid of "nanny" laws. If they enforced current laws, there wouldn't be a problem. There are also too many laws on the book that are just plain silly.

No RayRay - Joe doesn't win. He's making the same argument that keeps animal laws from being enforced: we have so much worse crime in Baltimore, why waste resources on dogs being off leash and pooping without their poop being picked up by the owner?

Responsibility has to start somewhere, and it seems to me a good place to start is with the dog owners. A better place to start is with parents who don't supervise their kids, but that's a whole other topic.

I am a responsible dog owner with a very obedient and well trained dog. I pick up after my dog and numerous other dogs in the park at Grindall's Yard. I find it inexcusable for any dog owner to not pick up after their dog. Regardless of the fine (which I think $1,000 is appropriate), the likelihood of catching them is so remote since Animal Control and/or Police need to be there to catch them at that precise moment. I live next to the park and in 8 years I have rarely seen someone let their dog go and not pick it up. And when I do, I tell them to pick it up. Which they have always done even when they say they "ran out of bags" as we provide bags in the park. Yet despite that fact that I rarely see this, there is dog crap in the park nearly everyday. There have been times that my dog has gone and I did not have a bag so I needed to run back to the house to get one. Would I get fined if I was attempting to do that. I often have my dog off leash but when I know other dogs are around or children that are not familiar with her, I do not let her out or put her on leash. Regardless, $1000 is a ridiculous fine when compared to other fines for more serious issues in the city. The city needs to get serious about expanding dog parks.

As a responsible dog owner who cleans up after her pets, gets them vaccinated and yes takes them to the park for excersize and to play with their friends off leash in the park. I think the whole "on the leash" off the leash" argument is so tired! They are dogs! It's what they do! They need to run free! I happen to be lucky, my dogs are super agreeable with NICE people and all dogs.They listen very well! I don't feel WE should be persecuted just because a few non dog people have a grudge or because some irresposible dog owne doesn't do what he or she is suppossed to do. We let our well behaved pets go at our own risk with usually little injury, because our dog group is pretty responsible give or take a few folks that dont get it yet. There is garbage and other urban blight in this city that the residents and city officials should focus on, not the good tax paying dog lovers! Go arrest the drug dealers, murderers and rapists! Please, go pick up some trash, start fining people for that if you want to make money!
And if your dog is dog aggressive, YOUR best bet is to leave it at home! Be responsible! You are the type of people that get the rest of us a bad rap!!!!!!

If the city wants the middle/upper-class dog owners that most often use the parks to move out of the city and take their money with them, these outlandish non-violent dog-related fines are a good way of ensuring that this happens.

Message to all dog walkers: take a whistle to the park when walking your dog(s) and use it when you see the police so that your fellow dog walkers will know to leash their dogs. Scream if you have to. Those of us who walk our dogs in the city parks realize the importance of the buddy/pack mentality and watch out for each other.

The increased fines are an outrage and should be changed back to the previous fine of $100. Even that is pretty steep.

I would be happy to move and take my money elsewhere and not have to put up with increased crime, drug dealers, etc. Shouldn't the city be focused on that rather than this perceived "dog" issue.

Season 6
The Wire: Unleashed

Undercover cops, puttin' in the OT, takin' down the evil-doers, one retriever at a time...

Your dog may bark, but this City bites.

...bury your poop, waaaaaaay down in a hole...

Slickeer, Hi. What a hoot! Thanks, MC

Really??
$1000...REALLY??? It's a waste of time to point out how much other fines are because that does not address the issue. Other cities have solved this issue by setting up times for off leash play time for our pets. It's an easy and inexpensive way to solve this issue. BUT, in the mean time, I'd like to introduce some of you to the responsible dog owners.
1. Patterson Park dog owners, DO NOT allow our dogs to run all over the park, there is just one area that we meet for our dogs to play and socialize.
2. For those of you who think that your dog DOES NOT need to run, play & socialize to be healthy, happy dogs, YOU should try to give up the same things and see how happy you are. I feel so bad for your poor dogs!
3. Dog owners who DO NOT pick up after their dogs should be fined, as well as the Dirty people who throw trash all over the park. I am the one who PICKS up your sh** so that my dog and children can enjoy a clean place to play.
4. If all the dog owners left the park, who do you think will come slithering back?? NO, NOT MARY POPPINS!
The hookers and drug dealers will have a hay day!
5. I respect others, I do not let my dog go up to other dogs on leashes due to the fact that I KNOW that there maybe a reason the owner has the dog on a leash.
6. We dog owners are generally chill people, we do our thing, try to take care of OUR park, notice the word "OUR" there, and do not complain about the people sleeping in the pavilion, trash that people throw on the ground because they DO NOT respect our park or themselves enough to keep our park clean and the cars racing through the park. DEEP BREATH, ooh long sentence.
7. Just to throw it out there, dog owners absolutely love their pets just as you love your children. We look out for ourselves as well as others. For those of you who have had bad experiences with dogs, I feel for you, but understand, we are not trying to be malicious or hurtful, just understanding.

Meanwhile, the city does nothing when people don't shovel their sidewalks. Oh wait.....why not raise that fine from the current $25 to $1000? I'm sick of the lazy slobs who take the "sun will melt it" approach to snow & ice removal. Just as dangerous as a loose, mean dog.

Why don't they fine the dunks that are sleeping on those clean new benches all over Paterson Park? Oh wait, they would never pay the fines.... I guess the city should just find a group of tax paying citizens to extort more money from. Count on the dog owners NOT voting for the counsel people who voted for this, as they are clearly out of touch with the needs of the community.

As a non-dog owner living in the city, I'll agree this fine is absolutely absurd. What the hell does this city do with our property taxes? I'm 100% for building dog parks in all neighborhoods. I'm not just complaining here, I just think it's slightly unjust how CLEARLY this fine is aimed at people in Fed Hill, Canton, Fells, etc. where income is the highest (downtown at least). Does anyone disagree? I'd like to know other laws that have been passed that are aimed at this crowd with the goal to increase revenue, not particularly make the city safer.

My dog is an English bulldog who stands very low to the ground. She was properly socialized at the very beginning of her life, having grown up in the same home as various other animals (big mutts, small puppies, tiny dogs, cats, etc.) her whole life, beginning as soon as she left her litter. Still, if your 100-lb, off-leash golden retriever bounds full-speed up to her and her mommy in the park, looking for all the world like a monster out to destroy us both, she will try to eat its face. If letting your dog run off-leash is worth my dog sinking her giant teeth into your dog's face, that's your decision. But, guess what? It'll be my dog that's put down because of the incident. So, I guess you have nothing to worry about, huh? I just really feel that that's wrong. A dog park or your yard is the only place a dog should be off-leash. I don't understand where people grew up that they don't ever think of anyone but themselves. Can't you at least feign manners and consideration for other people? I understand your dog needs a lot of exercise. I had a dog like that, too. And I found ways to give him the exercise he needed without endangering others. It was a lot of work, but if you adore your dog as much as you say you do, it won't feel like work.