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Home My WebLink AboutPublic Comment on Dogs from John Dudas, 5-29-14From:John Dudas To:Agenda Subject:Public Comment for Bozeman City Commission Date:Wednesday, May 28, 2014 3:01:03 PM Attachments:Bozeman City Commission June 2 2014 public comment.doc Dear Bozeman City Commissioners: I am writing to request that you please consider significantly increasing the level of enforcement of existing dog ordinances by dog owners along city trails, parks, and sidewalks. My concern is because the frequency of dog owners who neglect their lawful responsibility to leash dogs (in leash areas) and to pick up dog waste is a significant imposition upon public safety and common courtesy in our community. During the ten years I’ve lived in Bozeman, this problem is worse than ever as our city is growing and many dog owners have pushed the limits of Bozeman’s “dog friendly” culture by disregarding ordinances. Speaking for my family, our quality of life is lacking in this regard. As a person who has a severe asthmatic allergy to dogs and cats, and as a father of an energetic two-year old son who likes to frequent Bogert Park and the Linear Trail (among other locations), the perceived tolerance of this noncompliant behavior among the dog culture presents a real safety risk. Unleashed dogs have run into my son four times in the past month – all at locations where leashes are required. Most serious was at Bogert Park two weeks ago, where he was knocked down and scratched by a dog who was fetching a Frisbee for its owner. Please understand there is nowhere in Bozeman that my wife, son and I can enjoy playing outdoors that is without unleashed dogs, despite there being so many areas where dog owners are required to use leashes. Although Bozeman has numerous wonderful resources we enjoy, I have to question the city’s distinction as being a “most livable city” with respect to our ability to enjoy time outdoors without being hindered by unleashed dogs and without persistent concern for stepping in dog waste. Although many dog owners are courteous and compliant with local ordinances, it is obvious that many, many dog owners skirt local laws based on public tolerance for what they can get away for their personal convenience. It saddens me to acknowledge that because of the sheer volume of dog owners and predominant culture of negligence, noncompliant behavior is far more the rule than the exception. Safety Risk: Designated dog parks exist in Bozeman, and for good reason. However, unleashed dogs are everywhere – including (but not limited to) within the playground area at Bogert Park where we visit frequently, along the Chris Boyd Trail that connects Highland Blvd to Peets Hill/Burke Park, and even on sidewalks on Main Street. Furthermore, the predominance of dog waste is equally omnipresent throughout Bozeman. As a result, please acknowledge that unsafe conditions exist for my young son to play outdoors while in the vicinity of unleashed dogs. We choose to visit places that have dog ordinance signage posted, but there is a real conflict with “truth in advertising”, since many public parks, trails and sidewalks are promoted as being safe and child-friendly locations. Far more frequently than being run into by dogs, my son is intimidated and driven to tears with fear when unleashed dogs are allowed to run at will in his vicinity on a daily basis. The stress level severely compromises my ability to enjoy the experience. Unleashed dogs are always present – weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Where can we go, and when can we go there? Parenting is challenging enough without having to be burdened by so many noncompliant dog owners. Owners usually are apologetic during encounters, but rarely does their behavior change because I observe the same dog owners taking the same liberties days afterward. Furthermore, I am beyond frustrated with having to clean our shoe bottoms several times per week for having stepped in filthy dog waste. Please understand that utilizing the honor system with signage about dog ordinances is not working well enough to maintain my son’s safety. Quantity and Quality: Much attention has been given recently to the $15 million Parks & Trails Bond, for which I voted to support. It is encouraging to see the quantity of additional resources this bond will provide. However, I have real concerns about insufficient quality of enjoyment when frequenting existing parks, trails, and sidewalks. I shared a nice phone conversation last week with Mitch Overton of Bozeman’s Parks & Recreation Department, during which I asked him about the possibility of utilizing a small portion of the Parks & Trails Bond to improve quality by increasing enforcement of dog owners’ compliance. He reminded me that the bond may not be used for employee wages. However, the concern is no less important. Mitch explained that City officials are aware of the problematic “dog culture” in Bozeman and are taking steps to improve the situation. He emphasized that it likely will take quite some time to change the existing culture through initiatives like the “lend a leash” program, and general awareness and peer pressure among dog owners “policing” themselves. I respect the efforts made by Mitch and other city officials, and agree that providing free leashes for dog owners to use is helpful. However, free leashes are ineffective with changing such an ingrained, commonplace attitude among dog owners who refuse to leash dogs for their personal convenience. Even for the several dozen dog owners who utilize the free leashes, they are overshadowed tenfold by noncompliant dog owners who compromise our quality of outdoor experience. As a community, I believe we cannot afford to wait for gradual improvements with such widespread noncompliant behavior because childrens’ safety is at risk. A young child could be seriously hurt tomorrow by an unleashed dog playing “fetch”! Increased Enforcement: I believe that increased enforcement is necessary in order to help sway momentum of negligent dog behavior by owners because the “awareness approach” and utilizing peer pressure cannot respond fast enough to risks of this predominant culture. What’s more, insufficient enforcement conveys a sense of tolerance for noncompliant behavior. I know this sense of tolerance exists because dog owners have said to me, “The leash signs don’t matter. Many other dogs are off-leash, so why are you bothering me?” As a comparison, problematic usage of hand held devices by drivers was widespread in Bozeman for several years. Awareness campaigns about public safety were largely ineffective. However, with the passing and subsequent enforcement of law prohibiting driving with a hand-held device, it is encouraging to see how our local roads have been made safer as a result. I understand that our law enforcement officers have a challenging job already with protecting our community, which is why increased funding is necessary to provide more patrolling resources. I would be thrilled to see the Bozeman City Commission approve funding for local law enforcement to increase the level of patrolling off road, along city trails, parks and sidewalks. Patrolling by vehicle is ineffective for observing violations along the majority of the Linear Trail, for example. I was pleased to read recently in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on May 22 that Bozeman officers will train for bike patrols. The article indicates that “bikes allow officers to get to areas patrol cars can’t reach – between buildings and cars, and on sidewalks.” Unfortunately, no mention was made about patrolling city parks and trails. As is done in many other cities in our country, patrolling should happen via bicycle or on foot along trails and within parks. Dedicating a portion of the city budget to increase law enforcement along city trails and parks is not unprecedented. Dozens of cities in the USA already so this, including (but not limited to): Austin, Durango, Durham NC, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Oakland CA, and Seattle. I understand that most of these cities are considerably larger than Bozeman, but they don’t rival Bozeman’s dog culture – having been named the #2 dog-friendly city in 2012 by Dog Fancy Magazine. It is also interesting to note that the City of Billings instituted a volunteer patrol unit to assist the Billings Police Department with non-emergency issues, including volunteers of a bicycle patrol unit who patrol Billings’ trails and parks. I enthusiastically support this program for Bozeman and will volunteer to lead a team of volunteer patrollers, if appointed by the City Commission and Police Department. We live in a condominium adjacent to the Chris Boyd Trail which connects Highland Blvd to Peets’ Hill. Signage about leashing dogs and picking up waste exists at both ends of this trail. All too frequently are unleashed dogs roaming our yard and leaving dog waste behind as they stray unleashed from their noncompliant owners. The rate of leashed dogs on this part of the Chris Boyd Trail is well below 50%. Bogert Park also is largely disrespected this way. What’s more, my wife and I took our son to the East Gallatin Recreation Area (Bozeman Beach) on his birthday last week. During our ninety minute stay, I observed six unleashed dogs in the parking area and grassy area within the perimeter of the “dogs prohibited” area. Of these, one noncompliant dog owner played “Frisbee Fetch” with his dog. Utilizing the honor system with signage about dog ordinances is not working well enough to address an out-of-control dog culture of non-compliance. Please help.   Thank you, Bozeman City Commissioners, for considering my concern. Sincerely and with gratitude, John Dudas 1757 Highland Blvd, unit 12 (Highwood Estates) Bozeman MT 59715