Letter: It’s time for dog owners to adhere to Dixon leash laws

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter on the heels of yet another in a growing list of unpleasant dog-related incidents at John Dixon Park, a park I live near and have used my entire life.

While I am a lifelong dog lover, my personal experiences in the park include being bitten by a large, unleashed dog while pushing a child in a stroller. The owner said, “Sorry, my dog hates wheels.” I reminded him that parks are full of wheels: bicycles, tricycles, wagons, remote control cars, skateboards and wheelchairs.

Just days ago, my leashed dog was attacked in the park because another dog was not controlled by its owner. He offered to pay my emergency vet bill. While appreciated, this does not help my bloody dog, whimpering in pain with puncture wounds and lacerations.

And then the following day, when my brother and I were walking my still stitched-up and traumatized dog, there was an unleashed German shepherd in the new $120,000 all-inclusive playground, where children were waiting to play. When confronted, the dog’s owner refused to remove or leash his dog.

Additionally, I have witnessed other dog attacks in the park and, while I am happy to help, often the person chooses not to press charges, so it just keeps happening; several times it has been the same dangerous dog. Dixon has a leash law, so all these attacks have been completely preventable.

The Dixon animal control code:

9-4-5: RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED:

It is unlawful for any dog to run at large within the limits of the city. If a dog does so run at large within the limits of the city, any person who owns or keeps such dog shall be in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to a fine as provided in section 9-4-7 of this chapter and any and all associated pound fees. All dogs shall be leashed in such a manner as to prevent said dog from biting any person or from running at large generally. It shall be the duty of the owner or keeper of any dog which escapes from the owner’s premises or control to immediately notify the police department. (Ord. 2355, 11-5-2001)

There are often unleashed groups of dogs in the park at the same time children are playing there. In addition to the very real threat of one of these children being severely injured by an uncontrolled dog, some people who use the park to walk both their leashed and unleashed dogs fail to pick up and dispose of their dogs’ waste. My neighbor does not own pets but spends time picking up dog waste in the park trying to keep it clean for children playing and people stepping out of their cars.

The Dixon animal code:

9-4-8: DOG EXCREMENT:

It shall be unlawful for any owner, keeper or walker of any dog to permit his or her dog to discharge its excrement upon any public or private property except upon the property of the owner of the animal or upon the property of one who has assented thereto unless such owner, keeper or walker immediately thereafter removes such animal’s excrement from the public or private property in question. If the excrement is not immediately removed, the owner, keeper or walker shall be subject to the penalty provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1643, 12-16-1991)

I would suggest that, as a first step in making the park both safer and cleaner for everyone, large signs be posted stating the rules regarding leashes and waste disposal and citing the relevant ordinances so that those few people who are disregarding the laws cannot plead ignorance.

I am truly concerned for everyone’s safety.

Julie Hummel

Dixon