Commissioners and residents raise repeated concerns about off-leash dogs, call for pilot fencing and enforcement review
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Summary
Multiple commissioners and a resident who reported being attacked by two off-leash dogs urged the commission on March 13 to pursue measures to protect playground users, including pilot low fencing around play areas, better enforcement and community outreach.
The Parks and Community Services Commission on March 13 fielded repeated public and commissioner concerns about dogs off leash in parks and near playgrounds, with at least one resident describing a recent attack and commissioners urging consideration of temporary low fencing and targeted solutions.
A resident and former commissioner (Mr. Grama) recounted being attacked by two off-leash pit bulls while walking his dog and urged the commission to keep him informed about work on off-leash rules. "Today, I was attacked by 2 pit bulls with my dog that were not on leash," he told commissioners during public comment, adding that he and his dog escaped without injury.
Commissioners said off-leash dog activity has become more frequent. Commissioner Dawn Parker recommended adding low fencing around playgrounds as a possible short-term deterrent and requested a pilot demonstration in parks she cited as having high dog activity (Harper, Wilson, Lindbergh). "One of the things that we really do need to work on is dogs off leash...we have to protect the children playing in the playgrounds," Parker said. She asked staff to add a template analysis and a small demonstration project to future CIP or park lists, acknowledging that full mini-dog-park solutions take more time and money.
Commissioner Ledger reported seeing dog-training businesses operating in parks with dogs off leash and asked whether that use was permitted; staff said organized, permitted dog obedience training is limited to designated locations and that unpermitted commercial training should be reported. Commissioners also discussed enforcement pathways and how rangers and non-emergency police lines can be used for immediate concerns.
Staff said the issue is not currently on the CIP for capital funding but is a priority area for enforcement and park planning; staff and commissioners noted the upcoming park-assessment work could inform placements for low fencing or other mitigations. Director Gruener and other staff encouraged the public to use the city's 311 system or non-emergency lines to report immediate incidents so rangers or police can be dispatched.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to analyze needs and options for pilot fencing at high-use playgrounds and to include dog-off-leash concerns in the forthcoming park-assessment and CIP prioritization discussions. Staff urged residents to report incidents promptly so enforcement resources can respond.
