Jill...here is the problem with Andy's argument: I agree that everyone's dog should be on a leash unless you are in a zoned area for off-leash dogs.
But, this law, along with many others should be considered profiling. Many of these "dog walkers" are not the "lower" class of Baltimore. We...are the yuppies...the one's with $$$.
Even the new $200 is an absurd amount for a fine here. The city targets the people who can pay in this case and not the entire population. Why not jack up the fines for loitering, or jaywalking, drug distribution, drunk in public, littering, etc...?
Because the majority of the people that break these laws don't have the $$$ to pay fines or refuse to pay the fines..."lower class" of the great city of Baltimore.
And ask yourself this...are off-leash dogs in a park really the PROBLEM in Baltimore?
I do have an idea for the city to save money while not sucking the working class dry...if you convicted of a minor crime like the ones listed above and cannot pay...have them work it off.
There is plenty of trash lining the streets and potholes that need filling.
You DO NOT pay them, but have them work their fine off using min. wage as a target rate. If they don't show up, which many won't, you double the fine each day. These people will surface again... and when they do, you sweat it out of them.
Getting back on the subject, build more dog parks and this problem WILL cease to exist. In NY City, you can find at least one dog park in every neighborhood. And if you can't find the money to do this, why not use the money from these off-leash fines to build them?!?

I should not have to deal with a dog running up to me. This is my city too. I could NEVER let my son run free on any grassy area in the city. If I did, he was covered with dog waste. I agree with Andy!

Can anyone tell me what a 'poodle spurned' is? Haha! Andy Green asked me to write the counterpoint, and I figured I would try and make it a little more lighthearted than most of the stuff that has been going around about the leash laws.
The $1000 fines are moot at this point, since they are going to be withdrawn. The main issue now is the city's lack of dog parks. The Mayor has promised 8 more in Baltimore -- now the city needs to follow through on that promise.

Leigh,
There is NOTHING lighthearted about the leash laws.

Leigh,
Just kidding:-)

Leigh,
The $1000 is not quite a moot point just yet. What still really gets to me is that the city council claims that the fines were a mistake. If we assume they are telling the truth (pretty large assumption in my opinion but I digress) then we have to call into question their competence. These a people livelihoods at stake. $1000 fines are pretty hefty especially in this economy. I understand mistakes happen. However, you can't approve a bill and not look into how this may affect people? Is the next time I accidently park in a "No Parking" zone am I going to see a $1000 parking ticket? I have listened and read the remarks of city council members and none of them have addressed this point. No one has really asked this question either. I think that regardless your stance of leash laws, this "oversight" is something everyone in Baltimore should be concerned about.

This is nothing more than a back door punitive tax on dog owners. The money goes to the 'general fund', just like our tax money, our parking tickets, red light tickets and our brand-spanking new "speeding cameras." By the way, you joggers better pick up your trash cans from in front of your house before you leave for your run in the a.m. because their gonna wack you with a new fine for that too. That being said, this is the same 'general fund' that really could use the $50.00 open container fine they should have given to the bum in the park this morning (as he politely left after seeing our dogs). The punishment does not fit the crime and this is why we are incensed. There are perfectly good State laws which regulate, as mideameanors, dog fighting and abuse. City nuisance regulatory fines with inconsistent and disproportional enforcement in the name of humane treatment of animals is a complete farce. Don't believe the hype.

CD - I completely agree with you. Shame on City Council for letting it slip through the cracks, as they claim. They don't want to be held accountable, but the next election will give us a chance to rectify that. I will say, Councilman Cole has been exceptionally helpful to me and I'm not even in his district.
RayRay - finally, someone with a little sense of humor about all this! Who would have thought that pups could be so controversial.

If you keep your dog on a leash, the fine is a moot point.

nuf said!

Backdoor tax on dog owners? Baltimore hates dogs? Bull.
These are excuses by scofflaw dog owners who do not want to be bothered to have consideration for those around them.
Fines for infractions are intended to be a deterrent.
From the outraged howls of the scofflaw dog owners, the increased fines seem to be having just that effect. Perhaps the offending owners will still disregard the saftey and convenience of everyone else around them, but at least now they know there ARE leash laws, and the next time they willfully break them, they do stand a chance of paying for their selfishness.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love dogs. The problem is, I am horribly allergic to most breeds. If I am in a park, and an unleashed dog runs up and jumps on me ( a fairly regular occurrence at the park I go to ) I'm forced to leave the park, wheezing and sneezing. How is that fair to me, or anyone else with allergies like mine.
Scofflaw dog owners, ask yourself this: What is cheaper, a $1000 ($200) fine that makes you remember to keep your dog leashed, or a few hundred thousand dollars in lawsuits, should your dog cause someone as allergic as I am to be hospitalized?

doggone mad,
So you want to just let the city council and government pass any fines/laws/regulations they want without question?
By your logic then...
Let's just start locking people up for illegally parking on crosswalks and infront of fire hydrants because hey, it's annoying and I can't stand it anymore. f you don't park illegally then the imprisonment is a moot point. nuf said!
???

Joe,
"scofflaw dog owners" aren't upset that their dogs can't be off leashes, they're upset that Baltimore isn't a dog-friendly city. There is 1 friggin dog park in this city and how many dog owners? This increase in fines and lack of dog parks made people feel as though their dogs were not welcomed in Baltimore. Most non-dog owners will probably just shrug this off and say "not my problem. Don't have a dog in the city."

BTW, if you're that allergic to dogs where you could possibly be hospitalized then it's probably not a good idea to go to a park where you know there are plenty of dogs (on or off leashes). Kind of the same logic for people with peanut allergies and bars that serve free peanuts.

Joe - Give me a break. People knew there were leash laws before the fines were increased to $1,000. Just like you know that you could be fined / ticketed for speeding or running a red light.

Read me loud and clear - THE MAIN POINT IS THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO BUILD MORE OFF-LEASH SPACES. There is no perfect solution, but you have to learn to live with your neighbors (human and animal) and find a solution that meets everyone's needs. Dog parks are the best option.

Where are people's priorities at? Build a dog park, is money falling off trees in the park? Funny, I haven't stumbled over a pile of money at the park yet, but I have stepped in fido's crap. If you want to direct money at worth while causes, try veterans affairs, feed & cloth children, and such. Pet owners use public parks as their pets outhouse, come summertime, Riverside Park stinks with the smell of dog crap in every trash can! Why can't their pets use their own back yard, or on their property? There's nothing appealing about going to Riverside to stroll thru the park and see dog after dog hunched over crapping! I take my grandchildren there to play, not to observe fido's colon at work! Just leash the dog!

Dave,
Once fido's crap is gone, you might stumble over other things instead. Possibly some syringes, some beer bottles, maybe even a hobo or 2. It's simple ath...a lot of the working class in the city have dogs. Remove the working class from the parks and in come the drug users, drunks, prostitutes and dealers.

Also, building dog parks will make Baltimore much more attractive in the sense that more and more working class people will move into the city. Therefore, the city will create more revenue.

dave,
Every major city has a lot of dogs and a lot of parks too. If you hate seeing dogs in the parks so much then move out of the city.

"Why can't their pets use their own back yard, or on their property?"
People like to walk their dogs. Maybe you should work with your local congressman to get dogs banned from parks. Or yet, ban dogs alltogether.

What's to say about dog owners who complain about leash laws?
- They knew the law existed (any argument otherwise is disingenuous).
- They have such a sense of entitlement that they compare fines for off-leash dogs to "racial profiling".
- Above all, they think they can do whatever they want wherever they want to.

Amazingly, these people find a way to be even more obnoxious than parents who let their rugrats run wild. If you want to move because the city didn't waste money on something trivial like more dog parks, go ahead.

What's to say about non-dog owners who complain about dogs not on leashes?
-They are easily annoyed. The fact that a dog might jump on them to say hi infuriates them.
-They rather see police dedicate their time to tracking down unleashed dogs than criminal activity going on in their parks.
-Want dog owners to confine their dogs to their own property. Less dogs they see, the better.

To anyone who says that animal rights are not a worthwhile cause, or that creating dog parks is a waste of money - you cannot be serious.
The city has two wonderful animal shelters that have rescued thousands of homeless animals. Many of those animals end up adopted into loving homes in Baltimore city, and those animals and their owners need space to exercise and socialize.
If you don't care much about animal rights - that's fine. But plenty of other people do, and I would venture that you are in the minority. Look at how much money the SPCA's March for the Animals raised this year.
Dog parks are not a trivial waste of money - for many people, they are a qualify of life issue, and just one more reason that Baltimore city is a less than attractive place to live. Many other much smaller cities have numerous dog parks, and Baltimore is behind the times in that aspect.
Be careful what you wish for - alienate the dog loving population of Baltimore city, and who do you think is going to come and take our place? Not the model citizen neighbors that you would hope for....

I have two dogs. One, a very friendly (to both dogs and people) but large pit bull mix. The other dog, well, she hates other dogs. She is about 20lbs, but will go after 200lb dogs if they come near her. As much as I would love to let the nice dog socialize off the leash in a park, I know what it is like to have the unfriendly dog.
I am the person who has to cross the street sometimes, instead of socializing with you and your dog. Walking through Riverside park when everyone has their dogs off the leash is like walking through a mine field.
Yes, your off the leash dog is friendly and will get along great with my pit mix, but my small dog will try to attack your dog. Now, we keep her leashed and don't bring her to the dog parks. So if your dog is off the leash and comes up to her, and she attacks them...whose fault is that?

With that said, I am happy that they lowered the leash fines-$1000 was too high! Baltimore does need more dog parks, it makes the city more desirable to live in-does any one know what is going on with the Locust Point dog park?

Joe...if I were allegic to grass, should it be the cities responsiblity to remove all grass from the city? Or should you avoid the grass as not to get sick? Maybe pick another park? Now...I do agree that we must obey the law, and dogs should be on a leash if not in a designated off-leash area...but, I do feel safer at Riverside park when their are dogs running around.
As for those talking about stepping in dog doo and so forth...I have to avoid people crap in some alleys and occassionally ...

STOP with the inflammatory remark and read the posts before yours. We've heard every anti-dog comment already.

I agree with mic and many others that this FINE -notice I didn't say law - targets the working class. Don't get rid of the law, simply lower the fine. $25.00 seems fair to me. I got a parking ticket a year ago and it was about that much. I think they're on the same level of lawlessness.

For those complaints against dogs which jump on you, and against the owners who don't clean up after their pets, I believe that these are separate infractions. There is a big difference between my dog in a corner of a park, staying at least 50 feet from the nearest non-pet-owner, and a dog that runs around jumping on everyone it meets. The answer, police either need to use discretion (I think this is possible, but allows for human error), or to create different laws for different offenses. No leash - $25. Uncontrolled dog - $100. Not picking up your animal's waste - $100.

I think it would be reasonable to say that every single dog that is off-leash is NOT a menace. Can't we create a law to target those dogs which are?

(Either that or build more dog parks and allow dog walkers morning and evening hours at parks.)

Look at the issue more abstractly. The parks, all the city parks, are a shared common space, used by people from the city as well as by visitors. The rule should be - you can do anything you want in this space, so long as it does not distract from other's enjoyment of the same space.If you violate that rule, you get fined. To make it fair, make the fines equal for all offenses. Make up a list and post it at the parks. You litter, deface/damage the property, leave dog droppings, let your dog run free or play a radio too loud - $1,000. Get caught three times and you will be banned from all city parks.

If all of you opponents of dogs and dog parks feel strongly enough to post such hateful comments on a blog ABOUT DOGS, why didn't you muster the energy to go to the leash law hearing on Tuesday and have your opinions heard by city council? Guess it must suck to be in the minority when in just a few short weeks there are almost 1700 signatures on a petition opposing the fines and supporting the off-leash spaces. If you feel so strongly that dogs and their people should move out of the city, not use the city's parks, and the fines should have stayed at $1,000, why didn't you organize yourselves together and actually do something about it?

Let me answer that - that would take a little more effort than just posting a rude negative comment on the internet directed at the people who are trying to make a difference and get dog parks in the city and improve the quality of life.

In response to: Anonymous post May 13, 2009 1:43 PM, If I hate seeing dogs in the parks so much then move out of the city?
You don't get it, I don't hate dogs, I've had dogs all my life. Here it is, I never put my own standards above others in a public place. I don't see it as asking/expecting too much of you to let your animal crap on your property in lieu of, as soon as you come home from work, if you work, and taking fido out to the park to crap. You want a dog park, buy a vacant dwelling, knock it down and there's your own private dog park.

In response to Tom's post of May 13, 2009 12:48 PM. You and your dog, or anyone and their dog, is not going to keep drug users, drunks or any criminal out of a park at 3 AM.
And wake up and smell the feces, dog parks are not the answer to more people moving to the city to create more revenue. Try lower property taxes.

Dave,
Well there's no way to prove one way or another that dog parks will increase desire to live in the city. Yes, lower property taxes would definitely work. Also, if these dog parks are mainly privately funded, then why would you care whether a dog park is built? The locust point dog park is raising funds privately and not through the city. Take a look here: http://lpdp.dreamhosters.com/.
I understand that most people don't like dogs off leash but to be adamant against privately funded dog parks is a little absurb.
Also, I'm not sure what park you walk in but I hardly ever see any dog crap on the ground. 99% of dog owners in fed hill pick up after their dog. I've walked through fed hill park and riverside a lot and never stepped in dog crap.

Tom,
If you had kids, who run thru the grass, then you find out there's dog droppings in the grass of the park; and I live in Federal Hill, going to Riverside Park.

Dave,
True. But there's really nothing you can do to prevent that in any park anywhere in the country unless you ban dogs altogether from going to the park. Go anywhere with grass and you'll find dog crap. Yes, it's annoying but stricter fines for unleashed dogs isn't going to prevent that. In fact, opening a dog park will probably decrease the amount of crap on the ground since most dog owners will take their dog to the dog park instead of walking them through the entire park.
Again I ask...why would you have a problem with opening up dog parks if people volunteer their own time and donate their own money to it? The city will probably use some tax payer dollars for this but it will be insignificant to the grand scheme of everything else they pay for. Just because there's still poverty and crime in the city doesn't mean that ALL the city's funds need to go to those causes. There is nothing wrong with using 1% of the city's budget for parks and recreation and using it towards building a dog park that many residents in the city will enjoy.

What many of you fail to realize, is that we want the same thing. I want a place for my dog to play off-leash safely, and you want a place where you won't be bothered with off-leash dogs.

Tom, this isn't about dog poop. The fine is $1,000 for failure to pick up after your dog, and even a $10,000 fine would not get rid of all the crap. This is about your neighbors asking that the city allow off-leash dog parks to be built. Canton dog park was built with private funds, Locust Point dog park is receiving some public funding but private as well, and Patterson Dog Park's application includes a fundraising plan for private funds. So what is your beef? Sorry your kids stepped in poo once your twice, but punshing all dogs and their families is illogical and not neighborly.

Anonymous,
I think you meant to address Dave, not me. I'm for the dog parks...he's against them.

I testified at the hearing.
I respect the views of those who believe dogs should all wise be on a leash outside.
First, remember that dogs, like humans, need to exercise. All dogs instinctively need and will enjoy a nice walk with their owners. Some dogs need more exercise than others, or just love to run. I always keep my dog on a leash when on streets, sidewalks. But when I get to the park, FiFi needs to run to get out frustrations, even have fun with other dogs. If any situation arises, little kids, dogs snarling, etc, she's leashed immediately. I agree that some dog owners need to be more responsible.
By the way, FiFi will be in the Preakness Parade (off leash!) Fri evening. I dare anyone giving her a ticket.
The NYC policy states that with proof of a current rabies vaccination and license information, owners can allow dogs to run off leash in certain designated areas from the time the park opens until 9 a.m. and from 9 p.m. until the park closes. Over the past twenty years, this policy has kept parks and neighborhoods safer, allowed owners to exercise and socialize their dogs, and reduced the number of dog bites. That's a fact...look it up.

•Why Baltimore should allow parks/areas for off-leash time (other cities do it) - Baltimore is way behind the average according to the Trust of Public Land, it provides a sense of neighborhood- people meet in parks, celebrate birthdays and births and observe deaths - very social and positive for mental health and well being of citizens, if people cannot gather in dog parks they will leave - young people can go to other cities like DC nearby and others can move to the county.

Please have constructive comments in this blog!

KSR,
Very well put. Unfortunately, we live in a society where people tend to think of themselves first rather than what could be good for the community as a whole. Great example is permit parking in the city. Residents on that block may love it but, in my opinion, hurts the community. Small businesses suffer, visitors tend to stay away, greater animosity to anyone that parks there without a permit, etc. I believe that many residents who don't own dogs are easily annoyed by what's going on right now with the talk of dog parks because of the "hey, how is this benefiting me???" attitude.

I agree that the fine for having your pet off leash is rather excessive, however it should act as a wake-up call to irresponsible pet owners. I have lived in Locust Point for almost my entire life and I must say I have never seen more clueless dog owners than I have in the last few years. They let their dogs do their business anywhere and everywhere. The sidewalk in front of my house reeks of urine so much that I have an unusually large water bill because of constant cleaning. I have even planted flowers in pots hoping to dissuade urination only to have the owners stand there and allow their dog to urinate on my flowers! What we have lost in Locust Point is simple consideration, neighborliness, and common sense.

I live right behind Silo Point, in Locust Point. Silo Point has provided a very nice green space in front of the building.
They have provided not 1 but 2 dog walking areas with a bag dispenser and waste can. They have posted signs asking pet owners to use the designated areas. Many people used the designated areas but some arrogant so and so's will stand right in front of the signs and let their dogs defecate.
The owners of Silo Point have landscapers take care of the areas, I imagine at quite a cost. I would love to see those people get a $1,000 fine.
There are a few who let their dogs run w/o a leash or on an extendable which is against the law in the city.
People who own dogs need to realize that they have to take responsibility for them!

Karen - where did you see that retractable leashes are against the law in the city? I have not seen that anywhere in the city code, and believe me I looked once I heard about the increased enforcement for off-leash. I went out and bought a retractable leash so that my pup could get adequate exercise. His favorite thing now is to run circles around us while on his retractable leash - back and forth, super fast. It cracks us up.

Seriously though - I can understand complaining about off-leash dogs, but complaining about retractable leashes? Give dog-owners a break! We can all live together and compromise, and until I see something in the city's laws that says retractable leashes are not permitted, my dog will continue to run circles around me, on his retractable leash, and give me and passersby a good laugh.

I'm a dog lover. My dog is restrained at all times on all travel. I like to walk the parks with my small child and on too many occasions; a unleashed dog has run up to my kid. Now I have to assume that the dog might possibly be malevolent to children, so it bother the heck out of me. Such meeting should be done gradually with both child and dog properly restrained. I say raise the fine even more as a deterent to people who are jaded enough to think I want their dog nose in my business.

No Mauricio, you DON'T "have to assume that the dog might possibly be malevolent" to children or anyone else. That assumption and is entirely your own choice.

When you are ready to approach the subject with points based in fact then no one will have to restrain themselves (or their children!?!) when being acclimated to a new experience they are new to or their patent is uncomfortable with.