Unleashed Dogs In Neighborhood Parks

By Barry Chang

A group of residents want to change the dog leash law to allow unleashed dogs in neighborhood parks. Barry Chang believes that this would pose a safety issue with children and residents who also share use of the parks. He favors a compromise whereby a section of Stevens Creek County Park be fenced off for unleashed dogs.

The safety of residents is unquestionably my highest priority. If one small child were to be knocked down and injured by a playful dog because I was responsible for modifying the leash ordinance, I would be feel extremely bad. For this reason I am strongly opposed to allowing unleashed dogs in neighborhood parks. It also poses too much unnecessary liability exposure to the city as well as needless expense in regulating.

As a compromise I am agreeable to a proposal to designate a fenced in area in Stevens Creek County Park for unleashed dogs. However I insists that this dog friendly area be designed with appropriate amenities such as a source of drinking water and poop bag for the dogs and seating for dog owners.