Best Solution To Dogs In

No-Dogs Parks Is A Dog Park

To the Editor:

As reported in your article last week, “Police Giving Pet Control Ordinance Some Bite,” the Parks and Recreation Department and Fairfield Hills Authority have called upon the Newtown Police to enforce the ordinances excluding dogs from all town parks except Fairfield Hills, where they must be leashed. While it is necessary and desirable to respect and enforce these town ordinances and also state law, which requires that all dogs be on a leash if off their owner’s property unless in a designated off-leash area, I urge our town selectmen, legislators, and relevant agencies to study the potential advantages of selecting a town property on which to create a designated off-leash dog park, such as eight other towns in Fairfield County already have.

The following are some of the reasons why an off-leash dog park would be an asset to all Newtown taxpayers:

With the creation of a designated place where dogs are welcome, frustrated owners would be less likely to take their dogs to town parks with no-dog ordinances. A dog park would provide a safe environment for dog owners to bring their dogs to be exercised and play without violating town ordinances, annoying other town residents, or endangering children.

Just as the town very properly provides recreational facilities serving different groups of Newtown taxpayers who variously prefer swimming, basketball, tennis, baseball, golf, and playgrounds, the town would serve a significant proportion of its taxpayers with a desired recreational facility if it were to provide an off-leash dog park — especially in view of the fact that 39 percent of households (3,500 Newtown households) own dogs! A dog park would foster healthful outdoor recreational exercise by Newtown dog owners and build social bonds within the community of dog owners from all parts of Newtown.

Dogs are cherished members of Newtown’s households. Most dogs require more exercise than leash restrictions allow. The cardiovascular benefit provided by healthy play with other dogs is essential for dogs’ longevity and weight control. Like people, dogs are social animals whose mental health suffers in the absence of regular interaction with other dogs. Happy, healthy dogs are calmer and better behaved, reducing nuisance barking and other annoying behaviors exhibited by underexercised, understimulated dogs. Apartment and condo residents, as well as the elderly, would be able to exercise their dogs in this safe environment.

Dog park patrons tend to be people who appreciate the park and take a proprietary interest in its maintenance, safety, and legal compliance. Those who care enough to attend dog parks are usually registered voters, educated, and affluent. Studies show that dog parks are regarded by the market as quality-of-life amenities and produce a general increase in property values in towns in which they are opened.

Finally, since only dogs with license and vaccination tags would be permitted in the dog park, compliance with dog licensing ordinances would increase.

Thank you,

Ruth Hutchinson

8 Split Rock Road, Newtown                                          April 20, 2009