Enforce the leash law!

  • Author:
    n/a
  • Send To:
    NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe
  • Sponsored By:
    Juniper Park Civic Association
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According to official statements posted on the NYC Parks Department website, The City of New York enforces the leash law for several reasons.

"First, unleashed dogs pose potential danger to people and to other dogs. Many park users, horses, park wildlife and leashed dogs have been attacked and bitten by unleashed dogs.

Second, many park visitors are frightened by dogs and may find unleashed dogs to be intimidating or annoying.

Third, unleashed dogs are more likely to leave behind waste that is not picked up by their owners; canine waste is a known source of several pernicious zoonotic diseases.

Finally, unleashed dogs destroy lawns and flower beds: areas used as informal 'dog runs' have been severely damaged by the combination of wear and uric acid, a known killer of plant life."

As Parks Commissioner, you have been entrusted with enforcing the Public Health Code, yet are promoting an unwritten 'policy' of allowing pet owners to let their dogs off of their leashes between the hours of 9pm to 9am. A dog is just as likely to attack at 8:50am as it is at 9:10am, therefore these off-leash hours conflict with basic common sense and unnecessarily endanger park users.

We respectfully ask that you refrain from encouraging dog owners to break the law in order to protect the health and safety of city residents and visitors.

368 Signatures

  • Robert Holden
    • Comments
    • It's the Law!
  • Christina Wilkinson
    • Comments
    • We have laws on the books for a reason. Only the legislature can change them, not an appointed commissioner.
  • SUSAN SIMONETTI
  • Lucy
    • Comments
    • Please help protect the health and safety of our residents - dog owners must stop breaking the law!!
  • Rob Jett
    • Comments
    • Prospect Park has become, not only the largest unfenced dog park in NYC but also the entire country.
  • Kimberly Edwin
    • Comments
    • As a dog owner, I support the enforcement of the leash law in all NYC Parks. Unleashed dogs are a dangerous nuisance and have ruined the atmosphere of Prospect Park. I have been personally menaced by two nasty unleashed dogs, it was as terrifying as being mugged, and the owner was unapologetic.
  • Lloyd Spitalnik
    • Comments
    • В
  • Doug Gochfeld
    • Comments
    • The lack of enforcement of the written law in Public Parks is shameful. In addition as a taxpayer, whose tax dollars are supposed to be paying for enforcement of the law, the lack thereof is very disconcerting.
  • Sandra Maury
    • Comments
    • early in the morning, because there are so many unleashed dogs in certain areas of the park, it is frightening and dangerous for birders and others who are not walking dogs
  • Michael S. Zablocky
    • Comments
    • Enough is enough, Commisioner Bennepe. Enforce the Leash Law!
  • Robert E. Doocey
    • Comments
    • What authority permits Commissioner Benepe to refuse to enforce the law and encourage others to violate that same law? The leash law is a Health law, not a Parks law. How does this commissioner decide that particular law is his to break or enforce? Was there a public hearing? Is there a record? Is his decision in writing? How is the public to know its details? Exactly what is an "unwritten law"? How are we - the public - to know what we are to do to follow an unwritten law? Did Commissioner Benepe take an Oath of Office? Did he believe the part about "enforce the law"? Should he remain Commissioner if he cannot perform according to the oath he took? Or, are oaths just a laughing matter?
  • Michael Bryant
    • Comments
    • The inconsiderate amongst the dog owners are outnumbering the law abiding. It's an arrogant attitude that "laws don't apply to me (and my dog)".
  • manuel caruana
  • Eva Yaa Asantewaa
    • Comments
    • В
  • Lyn Dominguez
    • Comments
    • too many aggressive dogs unleashed
  • Stephen Feingold
    • Comments
    • I have been bitten by an unleashed dog in Central Park.
  • Lorraine Sciulli
    • Comments
    • Only in NYC do we have to petition a sitting appointed Commissioner to enforce a written law. It's bizarre to think we've been surrounded by loose dogs for over 20 years in our NYC parks. Stop the nonsense and double talk Commissioner Benepe, enforce the leash law 24/7 as the law is written and stated on Parks' own website!
  • Douglas R. Ewing, MD
  • Kathy Masi
  • Jessica Smith
  • Marlys Ray
  • Josephine M. Parrilla
    • Comments
    • В
  • Alan Baratz
    • Comments
    • В
  • Eleanor Tauber
    • Comments
    • It would be a good idea for the Parks Commission to create more areas in which off-leash dogs can be contained to play and run free within boundaries.
  • Janet Zinn
    • Comments
    • Leashes protect the dogs as well as the environment and the people! Too many lost dogs, dogs hit by cars--if you love your dog, keep it leashed!
  • Philip Jeffrey
    • Comments
    • В
  • Edward Gallagher
  • Irene Warshauer
    • Comments
    • Unleashed dogs bound right up to you and start smelling you, when I have asked their owners to get them away they respond "Oh he's friendly
  • Margaret Hanaver
    • Comments
    • I am afraid of dogs off a leash and have nearly been bitten by several.
  • Mary J. Eyster
    • Comments
    • Before I get labeled as a dog hater, please understand that I have a dog, and a cat, and fish. I like to walk in the park, ride my bike, cross country ski, etc. The park has become so overrun with off leash and out-of-control dogs that it is almost NEVER relaxing any more. Why do we have to "petition" to have the law enforced? Why isn't that the default position?
  • Brandon Bestwina
    • Comments
    • I do not approve of off leash times. Dogs should be kept on a leash at all times when they are in parks.
  • Robin Mishik
    • Comments
    • I exercise in both Central and Prospect Parks. I am always afraid that I am going to be bit by unleash dogs when I am running and biking in the parks. I have been chased and been jumped on by unleashed dogs. I have also seen dogs cause bicycle accidents. Not a good thing.
  • Robert G. Lewis
  • Barbara Wasserman
  • Lynne Harrington
  • Peter Amato
  • ROBERT KRUG
  • Anita STillman
  • Brad Woodward
    • Comments
    • Enforcement is especially needed in the Ramble at Central Park. Dog owners ignore the law virtually 100\% of the time there with impugnity. Even if cops or park personnel are present, there is zero enforcement.
  • Susan Tratner
    • Comments
    • I am allergic to dogs and have gotten rashes due to dogs off leashes jumping on me. It's the law, let's enforce it.
  • Mary Ann Ricevuto
    • Comments
    • \Very Important
  • Sheila Rosenberg
  • Catherine Sumsky
  • Marie Dooling
    • Comments
    • В
  • Phylis Salom
    • Comments
    • I was bitten by a dog and I am afraid of large dogs. Last week in CP a large dog off the lesch was coming toward, when I asked the owner to please get the dog away from me because of my fear he was verbally abusive and said I should not come to the park. I was outraged. The dogs are destoying CP and the habitate of the birds. Shame on you.
  • Gary Colter
    • Comments
    • Please Adrian, we need leash laws and their enforcement now!
  • Murray Liebman
    • Comments
    • The parks were designed for quiet recreation and other activities in specified areas. Dogs running unleashed make this difficult if not impossible. Check the Boathouse cafe before 9AM on any morning. It's an outdoor kennel. In any case it's a rule violation.Enforce the law!!
  • Janet Schumacher
  • Wm. T. Gobler
    • Comments
    • Enforce the Law
  • john schell