‘Tis spring. Leaf buds are popping, and so is some people’s tolerance for off-leash dogs.
Since 2010, the town has had rules about allowing dogs a few hours of freedom. As happens with any set of rules: Most people follow them. Some don’t.
Those who don’t have led the town to unleash an effort to further document the doggy perps. That includes visual evidence via photos.
Read the town announcement about this >>
The day after the town declared these steps, a private individual announced R-DOG, for Responsible Dog Owners. Read about it here >>
Both announcements have set off some yipping, enough to think that a pack of dog got loose.
Members of A-Dog, the long-established nonprofit that has worked with town recreation to establish rules six years ago, object that R-DOG sounds like a parody.
The woman who started R-Dog says she is a former A-Dog member who wrote on the Arlington List Facebook site that the group had not “adequately represented my interests.”
As to the town announcement, a resident expressed concern about photographic evidence. She wrote to the Arlington List Aril 29: “I am glad that the town is investing in a way to accurately track off leash dog complaints. Hopefully the information will help guide the PRC [Park & Recreation Commission] to make reasonable and appropriate dog policy.
“A record may also reveal if certain types of owners and dogs are being targeted for harassment, a concern in the dog owner community.
“However, I’m alarmed by the use of smart phones to report images of perceived violations by the public. Maybe I’m just old and I’m not up to date on the integration of technology in all aspects of our lives. Does APD offer a similar tool for any other purpose? Is this the new normal?”
Should the town encourage neighbors to photograph those who flout the off-leash bylaws?
To answer that, take a close look at what the town spells out: “These reports will be used for data collection only and will give the Commission and the ACO helpful information in order to guide decision-making and enforcement.”
The accompanying button in the upper right of the announcement page takes you to a form that allows the public to report violations. The form includes a place to attach an image.
An image of what?
The form, says: “Report an off-leash dog outside of regulated hours. Photos of dogs only.”
Not owners — just dogs.
Thus, the town plans to collect a rogues’ gallery of offending pooches, not a lineup of ignorant owners.
For what purpose?
The town’s announcement points the way: “The Commission will evaluate the data collected through the on line reporting mechanism periodically throughout the year and will determine any necessary actions.”
What actions might those be?
I guess we have to wait and find out.
Or someone might ask.
Could areas frequented by continued off-leash offenders face restrictions?
Or might there just be stepped-up enforcement by the town’s lone animal-control officer?
If the latter, then those who follow the rules will likely welcome that.
If a broader action occurs, then the majority of good citizens could have something to bark about. Let’s not punish the majority.
This viewpoint was published Monday, May 2, 2016.
How do you think rules about off-leash dogs should be enforced in Arlington? Post you opinion in the comment window at the bottom of this page. To have your remarks published, be sure to include your full name.
