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July 14, 2003

Dog Park “Sting”

Animal control and the Grand Rapids Police showed up at Cambridge Park tonight issuing tickets to people whose dogs were unleashed.

We will post more information about what transpired when we get first hand accounts.

Mad, concerned, irritated? Good…then get involved. Post your thoughts, comments, concerns, etc., on the site and let’s get organized. We’re having a meeting at 7:00 this Friday at Cambridge Park to discuss what happened tonight and what we can do.

We also have a meeting scheduled with the Parks and Recreation director for July 24 at 9:30am to discuss the next phase of our quest for a dog area.

Posted by Gwen at July 14, 2003 09:30 PM

Comments

I showed up at the park after the whole "sting" went down so we did not end up with a ticket, but the whole incident is completely disappointing. I go to the park for Hobbes, it is for him, but I also go up there to socialize with people that have become my friends. We at Cambridge have not done anything wrong, but obviously the city does not see it that way. There are many other things that the city of GR could concern themselves with other than responible dog owners! We need to do something about what happened last night. The city has to know that we are not going to sit back and let them think that this is acceptable to us, because it is not!

Posted by: Reji at July 15, 2003 08:15 AM

I'm not sure where Max is going to get $20 to pay for this citation, I checked his pockets and came up empty. Anyhow, we were there last night and did receive a "Dog Running At Large" ticket. One of Webster's definitions for "large" is: free: not confined. If that's what Max is/was then we are guilty. The back side of the citation also describes the only $20 fee as "Dog Running Stray". Back to Webster's: stray is listed as "a lost domestic animal having strayed, lost". Max was on leash and sitting down next to me at the time of the "infraction"- when the "officers" arrived at the shelter. They must have super vision to know who's dog was "running stray" from 300 feet. One of the officers (#51) said that his Supervisor told them earlier to go to Cambridge tonight and write tickets. There was no compaint that night - that he knew of - just go write tickets. This is crap! This is equal to sending police to 28th St and write tickets to EVERY car cause sometime last week, someone was speeding. I will be exercising my right to a hearing, anybody else want to join me?

Posted by: Ken & Max at July 15, 2003 10:58 AM

Ken,
I think a hearing is a great idea! Maybe we could have a fund raiser to help with the tickets.

Posted by: dottie at July 15, 2003 12:28 PM

We were spared a ticketing only because we showed up late at the park last night and the officers were already there. I, too, am very disappointed by this, not only for Gideon's sake, but for mine. I look forward each day to catching up with my dog park pals, both two and four legged! So building community and socializing our pets so that they are better canine citizens is grounds for fines, huh? I have resorted to signing up for the private park in Cascade, and while it is a great place, it is $34/month and 12 miles away. Why should we be forced to pay for the right to let our dogs get some good exercise when we're already paying taxes for the right to use public parks. NOT FAIR. GR dog owners unite...let's beat this!

Posted by: Molly and Gideon at July 15, 2003 06:49 PM

Count me in! Following the "officers" on my way to the park and watching them park where they didn't think they'd be seen, clued me in to their obvious trickery. Their intent was deceitful. Trying to cite me for an infraction when I hadn't yet released Abby to join her friends was pure arrogance on their part. I wanted to will them away! Poof, they're gone but no, so count me in. You'll have my support.

The squeeky wheel gets the grease! So let's organize ourselves and become one voice or one bark!

Posted by: Mary and Abby at July 15, 2003 10:35 PM

Since the bust at the park Ollie has been beside himself. He's moping around whispering, "Juliette, Juliette, wherefore art thou?" He needs his evening freedom fix.

We too (two) arrived at the park when the sting was well under way. So I avoided a citation. Thanks, Mary, for your help. But this shall not stand. I'm going to the Parks & Rec Dept. meeting on the 24th. As others have pointed out, we pay taxes to use the park. And we are very responsible owners. Yes, the law is the law, but the law needs to be changed. We need to be heard.
Dave & Ollie

Posted by: Dave and Ollie at July 16, 2003 01:47 PM