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Jun 20, 2006
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Residents Debate Dog Leash Law
June 20, 2006

Residents are debating a law that allows dogs to run in city parks without their leashes between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. every day, following a lawsuit filed against the Parks Department that argues unleashed dogs mean more attacks on people. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.

Meet Duncan, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel whose owner Pat Santelli says loves to run free in Central Park.

"I make it a point to get up in the morning and get him out here so he can run and play," she says.

And he can do that, since a 20-year-old accommodation in the city's leash law allows dogs to be unleashed in parks without dog runs between the hours of 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.

Queens Resident Matthew Connolly doesn't like the idea of any dog running around a park without a leash. He was attacked near a Maspeth park by a Rotweiller earlier this month while walking his Shih Tzu, who was also injured.

"I'm worried about children in the park. I live by the park, and I tell all the people with little dogs be careful," he says.

Incidents like that had already sparked the Juniper Park Queens Civic Association to file a lawsuit in May against the Parks Commissioner and Department, demanding enforcement of the leash laws 24 hours a day. A judge will hear the case on June 27th.

"We just can't have people running around or jogging or roller blading or walking their small dog and out of the blue some dog comes jogging out of the park and attacks you," says Robert Holden of the Juniper Park Civic Association.

Some dog owner groups like one in Central Park say they don't want to lose the opportunity to let their dogs off the leash. They say it works well here, and that it is not dangerous.

Susan Buckley is president of Central Park Paws, a group that advises the Central Park Conservancy on dog issues. They say dogs are healthier and get along better with people and other animals when they are allowed to have some unleashed time.

"Dogs that are used to playing around don't bite people, or you wouldn't allow your dog to," says Buckley. "If you have an aggressive dog, you don't allow your dog off a leash."

The Parks Department won't chime in on the debate at this point since the city doesn't comment on pending litigation. But if the Judge makes a decision next week, you can bet one side will be barking mad.

- Roger Clark