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RYE, N.Y. -- Gary Adamson was glad when he heard that dogs had to remain on-leash at all times at Rye Town Park."Most people have not trained their dogs well enough to be able to control them off the leash," said Adamson, standing in the park with Spice, his five-year-old Akita, which he kept on a retractable leash.
Adamson said he always keeps Spice on a leash when he takes her out for her own safety and the safety of others. He is concerned about other dogs approaching her that cannot be controlled by their owners.The Rye Town Park Commission--made up of officials from Rye City, Rye Town, Port Chester and Rye Brook--formally made a decision about the leash law June 21, ruling that dogs had to be leashed at all times on park grounds, overturning an informal policy of allowing dogs off-leash in the morning from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Many local residents who own dogs expressed disappointment with the decision at the Rye City Council meeting Wednesday, July 15, including Rye Mayor Doug French and council member Joe Sack, who are both members of the RTPC and voted against the measure."I don't have a problem with dogs running loose in the morning, but others have taken advantage of it," said Adamson, believing the informal agreement led to people letting their dogs run off-leash at all times, which discouraged him from coming to the park.He has been bringing Spice to the park more often since the law was clarified, and said he has noticed that most people are obeying the leash law.The question remains of how the RTPC will be able to enforce the law at all times when park staff don't come on duty until 9 a.m. and only during the summer season.Adamson said he understands as a dog owner the desire to let dogs run freely and suggested the RTPC seriously consider putting in a dog park. Until then, he hopes other dog owners will respect the law."Owning a dog should be more about taking responsibility," he said. "And less about having a sense of entitlement."Do you agree with Adamson about the leash law? Please express your views and leave a comment below.
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