Image Of Southtown Dog Run
Commenting on yesterday’s post concerning Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department’s enforcement of law against allowing dogs to run unleashed, reader Jason wrote:
Like I’ve said before… a lot of this reads as hysterical to me as the “oh noes! wealthier people are invading Roosevelt Island!” despair. I should be glad that we don’t have more serious things to worry about here.
Maybe it’s just because I myself have witnessed such an insignificant amount of irresponsibility. Perhaps I only walk in different areas that aren’t problematic. In any case, I do support fining those who don’t pick up after their dogs. Hell, I’d even support using cameras to identify the perpetrators.
As to the leash laws (which, yes, I also obey)… can someone tell me the point? If there’s a big, empty field, why can’t a dog run on it? Who does it hurt? Squirrels and geese roam around; should we shoot them on sight? After all, NOBODY picks up their crap, ever. They urinate on the grass, do they not?
My suggestion is still to increase the size of the dog run if there’s an affordable way to do it. There seems to be plenty of free space where the Southtown run is located.
Following up on Jason’s suggestion, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) President Steve Shane:
A reader has suggested increasing the size of the Southtown Dog run as a possible solution to the problem of dogs running around unleashed.
Any thoughts on the feasibility of doing this?
Mr. Shane replied:
Any incursion into sacred park or open space brings an immediate outcry from the non dog owners. I think RIRA ought to take a poll and make a recommendation. Clearly an on balance matter. Physically, a modest increase in size would be relatively easy.
If dog owners want to increase the size of the Southtown Dog Run, Mr. Shane has advised you as to how to go about trying to do so. Of course, this would only be a temporary solution since the area occupied by the Southtown Dog Run will eventually be part of Riverwalk Buildings 7-9 when and if they ever get built.As to who does it hurt to have dogs running around a big empty field, reader Winston comments:
These “insignificant amount[s] of irresponsibility” add up to a lot of poop. Maybe other people want to use that grass.
