Leash Law and Dogs at Parks

I agree with the proposed changes to the ordinances. Even under the best voice command scenario, dogs are liable to act in unpredictable ways, particularly when a runner or bicyclist is moving through an area and there happens to also be an off-leash dog in that area. The consequences for a bicyclist can be particularly catastrophic, and it's not a great situation for anyone to have a dog charging toward them.

TLDR: strongly against off leash areas in public parks & I am a dog owner.

It is the duty of the city and the park system to keeping the integrity of our natural areas and habitats. Our public spaces should also be welcoming to ALL and not to just dog owners. I very much enjoy Purgatory Park for its natural spaces, to relax in nature, and go on hikes with my child. Recently, there has been a huge up-tick in off leash dogs and my head is on a swivel for my childs safety from dogs as they are running wild. We have had negative encounters with dogs barking at him and aggressively approaching us, and then the dogs that are running have almost plowed him over several times... it's no longer a safe space for my family to enjoy. My family should feel welcomed & safe there; I am a tax payer and these are my public spaces too! Any one who goes there will witness the ecological damage dogs are doing to the native habitat. What's going to happen to the animals that live there?! There are DOG PARKS... Those in favor need to switch their energy to adding more fenced in dog parks vs this short sighted change that benefits few and hurts many.

The ecological damage in progress will last decades if this becomes an official change, as an example look to what happened at Elk Meadow Off Leash Dog Park in Denver, CO.

I feel VERY strongly that dogs should be on a leash when walking in the neighborhood. When out for a walk, I have encountered people who have their dog off-leash. The dog runs up to me wagging its tail and tries to jump up on me. Not only does this frighten me but my spouse is highly allergic to dog hair and I don't want to get it on my clothing. Another time I was walking by a house and the dog ran out into the street barking and growling at me. The woman who owns the dog didn't do anything about it until I started yelling at the dog -- and then she looked at me as though I was to blame.
I am so tired of people who have not trained their dogs properly and let them run rampant.

These proposed changes are very much needed and seem respectful of all our citizens. Dogs must be controlled within Minnetonka city limits for the safety of people, other dogs, and wildlife, and the upkeep of yards and city property. I agree with others who have said: It's dangerous and frightening to be jumped on/at while walking, running and on bike -- I, too, have experienced all of these. And, I hope that these changes will also help to eliminate the random piles of dog droppings that I see in my yard, on our streets and in our parks. I am so glad Minnetonka is taking this seriously. This is about safety, health, hygiene and keeping up our public parks and properties. Thank you!

I'm sure this will go as it has in the past, and you'll receive aggressive pushback from every one of the small but highly organized group of off-leash dog owners who treat Big Willow, Purgatory and Jidana like their backyards. But for what it's worth: I am a dog owner, I strongly support these changes, and for the sake of families with small children and those of us who would like to walk leashed dogs in the natural parks, I hope they pass. The current regulations negatively impact far more people in our community than they benefit.

I have given up trying to walk my leashed dog in these parks because we are so often approached by off-leash dogs on the trails. These large dogs are almost always well ahead of their owners and not under voice command. Before I stopped using the parks, when I wanted to walk in Big Willow with my kids to observe nature, we would leave our dog at home. We have been approached by an aggressive dog running at top speed through the woods, its owner well behind (and wearing earbuds fwiw). He yelled at me when I asked him to control his dog, saying that it was allowed and I clearly "don't like animals." I hope I don't have to explain how absurd it is for a dog owner and nature lover to receive this treatment from a man whose dog is rampaging unchecked through a park chasing wildlife.

Dog parks exist. Backyards exist too. Some of us take these things into account before we become dog owners. It is far past time for Minnetonka to get in line with the rest of the Twin Cities on this public safety issue.

I am not sure why things need to be made more difficult. So many of our parks are under used. If there isnt anyone using the park, why cant i take my dog there to play catch and get some running in? A tired dog is a happy dog! I love walking my dog to the park and letting her run through the woods. We stay away from open park areas and playgrounds and if another person or dog walker comes along, we bring her into heelor leash her. Its unfortunate that a few can spoil it for all. My dog also can walk without a leash and be on voice command. This was a necessity for use as i have a bad back. Those people that dont have control should walk their dogs on leash, but dont punish the rest of us that have worked to make sure our dogs obey.
Purgatory was one nice area that was easy to take the dog to. Now you want to take that away or downsize it. Our dogs are not allowed on the main trail off leash, maybe walkers shouldn't be allowed in the off leash areas? I also think that people should know their dog. Does it belong in an off leash area with other dogs if it is not properly socialized? Again, dont punish all for the inability of some to control their pets. I understand a "dog at large" ordinance, especially since i have seen reports of some dog attacks, but that sounds like more of an owner issue. If the dog is under control with the owner, why do we need to add restrictions? Please dont take away our park access.
Thanks.

This is disappointing. I was recently in the UK and it is so dog-friendly compared to here. Everywhere you went dogs were allowed. Lots of trails and parks allowed dogs to be off leash and they didn't even need to heel. They were running all over the place having a great time. There was the occasional area where they required them to be on leash (near traffic) but for the most part it was off. Everybody's dogs interacted with each other and in the daily walks I had never once saw an altercation. Does their freedom make them behave better??

The proposed ordinance is fair and much needed. Dogs should be controlled within city limits for the sake of people, other dogs, wildlife, yards and city property. It's dangerous and frightening to be jumped on and at while walking, running and on bike - all my experiences. I appreciate the city's consideration.

I support these amendments. I live right next to Reich Park and the number of dogs that are unleashed is getting out of control. Not all dogs are okay with other dogs approaching them. And I agree with others, those people that have unleashed dogs do not always have their dogs under control by voice command. Please, please pass this amendment. Thank you.

100% support this ordinance and the previous comment about many owners being delusional about the temprement of their dogs. It shouldn't be my responsibility to pick my dog up 3-5 times a walk because you can't control yours. This is long, long overdue.

I am against this ordinance. I am incredibly disappointed in this thinly veiled move by the city to get the dogs out of purgatory. Over the last 6 months there were multiple meetings at city hall about this. The amazing off-leash community at purgatory explained why having this space is so important to the dogs, and themselves. Supporters of Purgatory spent hours and hours of thier time listing these reasons. I don’t have time to repost them now but maybe I will try to post one a day. At all of the meetings the support for off-leash was overwhelming. There are only a handful of loud anti-dog people that clearly have the ear of the city. There reasons included “dogs spreading buckthorn” and feeling “uncomfortable” around dogs. Because of the massive support for off-leash expressed at these meetings, and the weak opposing views, the city could not get away with taking away off leash during the purgatory park planning. Instead, just a month later, they are trying to pull a city wide ordinance change in an attempt to dilute the support that purgatory has for off-leash. I get it, the ordinance sounds reasonable for people who don’t have dogs or have a dog that an hour or two a day of leash walking works for them and the dog. As an owner of a hunting breed, I will challenge any individual to tire out my dog mentally and physically on a leashed walk. And for those who are thinking “the city said they are considering designated areas”. Based on the abhorrent bias with getting dogs out of purgator I have seen in the months leading up to this, I can confidently say that the city wants to put in a fenced in area or an area that is inadequately small for off-leash. City of Minnetonka, the people have already spoken. Leave purgatory alone.

I support both ordinances...I think they will both make our community and parks safer.

I'm completely in favor of these two measures, and I'm glad to see that Minnetonka is finally catching up to the rest of the Twin Cities. Too many dog owners are delusional about their dog's temperament and level of training, and I learned that the hard way when my dog was attacked by two off-leash dogs earlier this year. These two dogs took one second to look at my dog before attacking her and couldn't be brought under control by the owner after they launched their attack. The dogs' owner still swears that his dogs are not aggressive at all, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

These ordinances also cover situations in which dog owners are able to demonstrate that their dogs can be recalled--thus meeting the requirements of the existing "at large" ordinance--but choose not to recall their dogs. I've encountered too many dog owners who refuse to recall their dog because--as they say--their dog is friendly. Never mind that I don't want their dog to approach me and have repeatedly explained that to the owner. It's often much easier to stay out of a dog's reach when they're limited to a six-foot radius.

Finally, to respond to all the calls to simply enforce the existing ordinances I would add that it's very difficult to explain to the police where a dog and owner pair have headed on a walking trail when you can't rely on street names to give directions. Saying "they headed east and could've gone in about three different directions based on which split in the path they took" doesn't really give the police or whoever's responding to the call enough information to track down an offender. Enforcement of the existing ordinances doesn't seem feasible.

This is bad. We have enough ordinances to control dogs, we don't need more.

I completely disagree with these overzealous proposed ordinances. The current ordinances are adequate. There is no reason to punish everyone for what a few people and their pets do. I am very certain that the people currently breaking the rules will continue to do so, while law abiding citizens suffer with this ridiculous oversight. I have gone on plenty of walks in numerous parks and trails and have not encountered any problematic animals. This proposal sounds like it’s stemming from negative isolated incidents that should have been appropriately addressed with the pet owners, or perhaps from people who just dislike dogs.

I support the proposed leash requirement amendments.
Dogs must be on leash at all time. The only time dogs may be off leash is while in the owner’s yard under the owner’s control. I do now want to be chased by dogs when I am out walking or biking. I do not want children to have to be chased or bitten by dogs.
It is the responsibility of the city to keep everyone safe. Unleashed dogs are a danger to every citizen except the owner.
I have had many dogs jump up on me when not leashed, especially in Purgatory park, and my fear is unbearable. I understand some people totally love their dogs, but with thousands of people in this community it is negligent for the city not to force sanctions on those who do not leash their dogs.
I already see plenty of dog poop not put in the trash by owners. People who break rules must be punished. Enforcement needs to be stepped up.
Dogs should only be on a leash when not in their owner’s yard and under the owner’s total control.
We must do everything to keep all citizens safe from other people’s pets.

I definitely support these regulations. My wife and I live adjacent to a park, and we don't even walk in the park anymore due to the unpredictable loose dogs that are often present. It is also our observation that a significant percentage of loose dogs are not under voice command. We often have loose dogs barreling through the yard, often with the person showing up minutes later with no possibility of knowing what the dog is doing, or where it is defecating. I do fully support the creation of a area in parks where dogs can run loose, when the area is not adjacent to private property if the area is not fenced. Thank you to the city council for your consideration of this issue.

Thank you for requesting comments. My comment, if you want to restrict dogs in parks and on trails, then provide other options. There is so much underutilized acreage in Minnetonka, acreage that I pay taxes to maintain; please put it to use.

Dogs need to run. Per a previous comment, not all dog owners are privileged/lucky enough to have a large, fenced in yard.

My dog enjoys running to catch a ball or frisbee, returning to me for another loop, bothering no one. Not possible on any length of leash.

I walk my leashed dog past a myriad of fenced sport fields and hockey rinks -- many empty for a majority of the year. Put a poop-bag dispenser and garbage can outside of a few of them and open them up to dog owners during the off-seasons, "at your own risk, pick up your poop, yada yada," and let dogs and their owners put these empty voids of space to use. Seems like a cheap smile opportunity, for dogs and for their owners.

If you want to meet a few happy, less isolated (in today's lonely world) humans, go to a place where there are dogs, and you will find people who actually interact and talk to each other. And happy dogs. As I said to one new friend whom I recently met while exercising my dog -- in reference to an individual who seems to always be at the park with his dog, "better than a bar."

(Side note: I realize that many people are bothered by and fearful of dogs. I have the same feelings towards gas-powered leaf blowers. Could we put in an ordinance restricting their use -- much more pollution, noise and air, than any dog.)

Electronic Collars?
We all know that the definition of a "well trained dog" varies greatly from owner to owner. Some pets are extremely obedient and some not. Many communities are modifying leash ordinances to accommodate electronic collars as a substitute for an actual leash because they work very well consistently. My dog usually responds to a tone or vibration immediately. A quick low intensity shock will do if he decides to ignore the first cues. I urge the council to consider adding this option to the proposed ordinance.

Unfortunately, I think this ordinance proposal is the result of a few ruining it for everyone. There are SO many responsible pet owners and well trained dogs, but not everyone is. Just look at all the poop and poop bags that are not picked up. These are the kind of owners that ruin this for the rest of us. We have an 'indoor dog', so this ordinance doesn't really affect us currently, but I see why it has to be proposed. Sad.