Dogs Gone Wild at Nearby Preserve

luvmykids January 15, 2013 at 07:21 pm

I had to stop taking my kids to Tackapausha because there have been so many times people have had dogs off the leash..obviously I do not feel comfortable with it......and no matter how nice a dog can be...you just can never trust it..I've had friends that have gotten bitten by even the nicest, most gentle by nature dogs....and yes I have a dog and no I wouldn't let her run around in a public area unleashed.

JPS January 15, 2013 at 07:27 pm

I love dogs and think the laws out here banning them from the parks are ridiculous especially when you have literally thousands of geese the size of dogs defecating all over the park. They should really do something to curb the excessive geese population. I really don’t understand why they don’t. I love cats but would not want 40 of them living in my backyard. I would call animal control.
As far cracking down, I believe they should. Not too long ago I was at one of the local parks in Massapequa and had a Pit Bull run over to me. Thankfully the dog was friendly and I was able to pet him; however, that's not fair to the people that don’t like dogs and/or are afraid of them. In my opinion they should allow leashed dogs in parks and fine those that do you not clean up after them or let them off a leash. God knows our taxes are paying them well enough to do their jobs.

Rosalie Aprile January 15, 2013 at 07:38 pm

These dog owners are the same type of people who let their kids play in the street and think that cars should have to stop for them.

Lorraine DeVita January 15, 2013 at 07:44 pm

As a dog owner i have some serious concerns that since i pay taxes i should be allowed to bring my dogs responsibly to any park that is run by an entitiy i pay taxes to. Notice i said responsibily which means you pickup after the dog and keep them on a leash at all times. Letting dogs run free anywhere is as much a danger to the dog as it is to people. Let them roam in your back yard. but once they leave your property they should be leashed regardless of how well behaved. But dogs should be allowed in all parks if leashed and the owners pick up after them. We pay just as much taxes as the rest.

Andrew January 15, 2013 at 07:49 pm

Nassau County should have more dog friendly parks. People disobey the rules because, honestly, there are only a handful of dog friendly parks in Nassau County (Suffolk has more than double). I'm not saying its right, but this is simple problem to fix. If you make the preserve and various other parks more dog friendly (post signs stating all dogs must be leashed, provide additional garbage cans, etc..) this problem would largely go away. The other issue is the dog runs the county provides...they are disgusting to say the least. If you forbid dogs at county parks, then provide clean, fun, and well tendered dog runs!

Tara Conry January 15, 2013 at 08:13 pm

Good point, Lorraine!

Joe January 15, 2013 at 08:54 pm

When you give a little they take a lot. This is a great example of that, many dog owners think their dogs are actual kids, I've seen them pushed around in strollers for crying out loud, dress up in sweaters etc. Keep your dog in the dog run of keep it home. Another case of Nassau County not enforcing any laws/rules in parks anymore, public safety officers are a joke, they hide in a corner and sleep.

Lorraine DeVita January 15, 2013 at 09:09 pm

Joe if you dont have a dog then perhaps you should look into adopting it one it might change your attitude and possibly your bias. and will fill your life with unconditional love. True my dogs ARE my boys we take our two wheatens everywhere dogs are allowed .they are always leashed and we always have a roll of plastic bags handy to pick up after them. No, we dont have doggie strollers or doggie clothes, but for the xmas holidays they do have bright red scarfs with white trim .. .lol.. ps wheatens dont shed and are the most adorable loving smart happy well behaved dogs we have had EVER thats why we have two Teddy and Bear and yes they look just like "bernstein bears" .

Jason Molinet (Editor) January 15, 2013 at 10:26 pm

Mary Studdert, from the Press Department at Eisenhower Park, told Patch: "Being that it is a Preserve and not an active Park with an administration building etc. we do not have staff there 24/7, therefore we do not sweep the Preserve. As far as enforcing the no dog law that is a joint effort between Public Safety, who would only be sent there if there is an immediate complaint, as well as the 7th Precinct who patrols the area."

Lorraine DeVita January 16, 2013 at 03:36 am

it should be up to dogs owners to police themselves out of courtesy for other dog owners and the general public. If you take your dog to a public place that isnt specificaly on the dog welcome list then t it is your responsibility to insure that your dog is leashed . Families should not be afraid to take kids to a preserve or park becaseu some owners are not cognizant that not everyone loves dogs .
Most responsible parents tell their kids to stay away from strange dogs and probably dont mind sharing a park with LEASHED controled dogs. MOST responsible dog lovers also know a leash is their dogs best friend and the only safe place for their pet running around unleashed is in a dog run or in their own fenced back yard. Common sense and Courtesy so all can enjoy safe walks in the parks. as to calling the 7th LMAO yeah right - hi priority on their list ..

rick donovan January 16, 2013 at 11:38 am

7 th hates to have to write tickets now. It would require getting out of those warm patrol cars. If you really need them, call the SFDept. They are allways there !!!

M M January 16, 2013 at 11:39 am

The headline made it out that there was wild dogs in the park. In the video, I saw dogs being dogs. It's the owners that need to keep them on a leash in public. Some people or small children might like dogs.
I did laugh with the dog on the rock that almost fell in the water.

Mickey January 16, 2013 at 09:49 pm

My little grandson was bitten in the chest as we walked past a dog at the Tackapausha Preserve a couple of years ago. The dog had been running free, but as we approached, he grabbed the dog and leashed him as he started telling us how friendly it was. It was a fairly large dog. As my 5 yr. old grandson WALKED past the dog, he leaped forward and BIT HIM IN THE CHEST!! The guy started to say again... oh, so sorry... he's really very friendly... and then took off running with the dog!! The dog did break the skin on my little guys chest in a few spots, and has a scar still today, 2 years later. Just saying... even on a leash, a dog in a park feels like it is his territory, and cannot be trusted to not attack something. I have a dog, a little 19 pounder, who is super friendly and loves kids... but I would NOT take him to a park if dogs were not allowed!! Not everyone likes dogs, and they should be able to enjoy a park without having to worry about dogs running loose!! More DOG FRIENDLY AREAS are a great idea... but unfortunately, many owners are such slobs they don't pick up after their pets, and they also bring dogs in who are NOT friendly with a PACK. It should NOT be up to the park to clean and maintain the dog areas... it should be the owners/users responsibilty. Maybe then there would be more DOG FRIIENDLY areas for the pups to play and run around.

Mickey January 16, 2013 at 09:50 pm

ALSO- whats to stop a dog from attacking a swan or a duck who lives in that preserve. There's no stopping a dog once he's in attack mode!! They deserve to be protected and preserved too!!