From: JACK MONTGOMERY
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] PARK HOURS FOR UNLEASHED DOG PLAY
Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 9:26:39 AM
Dear Council Members:
I am a retired attorney , and for the last two years my wife and I have joined a number of responsible dog owners for unleashed dog play on the large, grass field at Hidden Valley Park, usually between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m.
The dogs are all well behaved, and there have been no
problems. The park during those hours is generally very sparsely used. Recently, however, a particular Animal Control Officer (A. Fass) has been citing people there, and at other City Parks, for unleashed dogs, even though there have been no incidents involving the dog play.
I
understand that a number of these dog owners will be attending your meeting tomorrow, requesting that provision be made for designated hours of unleashed dog play at City Parks, and I wish to add my wife's and my voices to that request.
We suggest the hours of 5:00 to
7:00 p.m., during Daylight Savings Time, and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. during Standard Time periods.
We know that there are Dog Parks throughout the City, and we have all tried them as an alternative, but invariably there are aggressive and poorly supervised dogs present that make the experience both unpleasant and dangerous.
These hours spent with our friends and our
dogs have been very special to us, and we are hopeful that you will allow them to continue.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jack and Gaylene Montgomery