Leash Law Enforcement at Pony Pasture
A local resident asks Why Richmond Why?!? at Richmond.com about enforcement of the leash laws at Pony Pasture. The short answer is it is illegal to have a dog unleashed in any Richmond public park and expect to see some Animal Control and Care officers in that area in the coming weeks to educate folks and even give out tickets. Please click on the link above for the full article.
I never cared one way or another until a few weeks ago when someone’s unleashed Weimaraner tried to knock me off my bike on the Buttermilk trails. Nothing makes up your mind more quickly than a slavering, snapping dog coming after you in a public park.
I have a dog (http://twitter.com/hussithedog/) and take her to Pony Pasture often. There “may” have been a few times that I’ve had her off the leash (heresay ticket, RVA Animal Control?) but I’ve always respected whenever anyone would come near when I’d re-leash her. Fortunately, she makes an excellent off-leash dog. I realize, yes, how quickly “things” can happen. That being said, thanks for passing this info along. I, for one, will certainly be more prudent in keeping Hussi on her leash.
[...] came across a quick mention at the Hills and Heights community blog about how Richmond Animal Control is cracking down on educating dog owners and enforcing leash laws at the pop…. Since Bandy Field on Three Chopt is such a popular place for dog owners to let their dogs run [...]
Interesting comment Adrien, because my leashed dog and I no longer feel remotely safe on the Buttermilk trail because of wildly inconsiderate & borderline out of control mountain bikers.
My dog is always leashed, unless she is physically in the water chasing a stick, which to me is acceptable. (and, technically not a City park but State property, that’d be a fun court hearing!)
So, re-cap, I’ve always had far, far worse experiences with mountain bikers than anyone’s pooch
This was on the Woodland Heights Yahoo group.
Looks like Animal Control is getting serious about off-leash dogs in
area parks.
A neighbor was given a summons and warning for allowing her dog to run
off leash in James River Park, between Reedy Creek and Belle Isle.
She was not fined (this time), but was required to produce proof of
rabies vaccination and city dog license by the end of the day *that
day*. She asked me to spread the word.
As a runner (not an ‘out of control mountain biker’) I am glad that the leash laws will be enforced. I know almost no dog owner who will say that their dog is unruly and a potential biter but I know ones who have dogs that fit those descriptions.
When I go for a run it is to exercise and relax, not to worry about how the leash free dog I just surprised is going to react. I don’t even mind when the owner is right there and has the dog within controllable range, but too often the dogs are the ones borderline out of control.
Thank you Animal Control!!! I look forward to running again at Pony Pasture.
The debate continues on Richmond.com http://www.richmond.com/news-features/25966
I’ll be the first to admit there are some bad mountain bikers who use the trails, but I am absolutely not one of them. I’m always quick to yield the trail to hikers and I’m friendly. The trails are for everyone but I can’t change other people’s behavior. ALSO, please keep in mind that a lot of the newer trails have been built by cyclists. They are not paid, they are volunteers. All that aside, I should be allowed to ride my bike on multi-use trails without having someone’s unleashed dog chase and try to bite me. I love dogs, just not the bitey ones!