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City should strive to make Lynch Park dog and people-friendly place
Letter to the Editor:
This letter is in response to Beverly's Animal Control Officer, Paul Cotter's warning to dog owners, and his comments about dogs "running wild" at Lynch Park. I certainly agree that dog owners must be responsible for cleaning up after their dogs, ensure that their dogs pose no danger to others, and control unwanted behavior such as bothering others in the park. However, I must stress that the problems he is referring to are not widespread, and the vast majority of dog owners ARE responsible for their dogs, clean up after them and make sure that they stay far away from others in the park who may not wish to encounter a dog.
There is more to being a responsible dog owner than simply keeping your dog on leash at all times and picking up their mess. Dog are, after all, social animals, just as humans are, and need the companionship of other dogs. They also require a lot of exercise and play, just as humans do. Real exercise cannot be accomplished when confined to a leash. Dogs need to run. It's that simple. To deny the basic needs of running and socializing is simply cruel. Dogs that are denied socialization become frustrated, and that is when real problems arise, such as chasing, destruction of property, escaping, fighting and even biting. Have you ever noticed how some dogs who are fenced in or chained to their property lunge crazily and bark uncontrollably as they strain to get at passers by? These dogs are completely frustrated at being kept away from any contact, and are more likely to cause problems if they ever get the chance.
Responsible dog owners learn early the importance of socialization and exercise when they take their puppies to training class. By ensuring their dogs receive plenty of running and playing time, they are creating well socialized, friendly, safe companions. My dog is a trained and registered Therapy Dog. He visits nursing homes, and works in speech and occupational therapy sessions with head injury patients, stroke victims and children in rehabilitation hospitals. His contribution to humans is amazing to witness, but he could not offer these services without proper training and the socialization he received throughout his life. Yet, he is not welcome to play in his own city.
Mr. Cotter's article does not address any solution to Beverly's problem of having no designated area for dogs to be in a safe off-leash environment. Many other local towns have already set aside areas for dog parks. This allows responsible dog owners to stay within the law and still give their dogs a safe environment for playing and interaction. There is a section of Lynch Park to the right of the "exit" drive that is rarely used except for overflow parking during homecoming. Why can't that area be designated as a dog play area? It's well away from the landscaped portion of the park and would be easily fenced to keep the areas separated. Most of Mr. Cotter's problems would be solved quickly and easily simply by providing a designated area.
It's a sad thing to realize that man's best friend is so unwelcome in this town. This winter, when practically nobody but dog owners set foot in Lynch Park, there were no problems. Now that the warm weather is here, the dogs are banned, but is the park better for it? I was at Lynch Park earlier this week and was heartbroken to see the recent vandalism, with the barrels spilled and garbage strewn everywhere. Then I heard that branches had been broken on some of the beautiful trees and some of the rose bushes uprooted and destroyed in the garden. Finally I passed a group of teenage boys shouting obsenities that no child (or grownup) should have to hear. There wasn't another dog in sight. They'd all been driven away. From where I stand, it's a much sadder place now.
Perhaps Mr. Cotter's job description is limited to ensuring people adhere to the strict letter of the law. Perhaps his time could be better used in advocating for changes to provide solutions to problems and not just ticketing the symptoms.
Janet Gottschalk
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