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Keep dogs out of Paso Robles parks

June 11, 2024

OPINION by JAN ALBIN

Paso Robles has an ordinance against dogs in our parks.

But the City Council wants to repeal that ordinance to now allow dogs in all eight city parks. Why? Because, according to the council; “the current reality is, people are bringing them anyway so we might as well allow it.”

That argument is what every law-breaker loves to hear.

How about this: There’s a “current reality” of people entering a retail store and walking out with stolen merchandise and no one stops them or prosecutes them. Should we just remove the theft/shop-lifting laws and tell people its okay to come on in and take what they want for free because the “current reality” is that you’re going to do it anyway?

Isn’t that exactly what we’re saying when we remove laws that make it easier for the criminals to get what they want?

Isn’t that exactly what we’re saying when you and I pay more and more for everything we buy because the thieves are stealing what they want without the fear of consequences?

Okay, how about this. If you give me free drugs, I won’t have to hold-up a liquor store to get the money to buy them. Isn’t that the exact same thing?

We know that’s psychologically wrong, but the City Council would rather cave to that mentality than to install visible signage and direct our PD Patrol Officers to walk through the park, talk to “offenders”, and remind them that dogs are not allowed and keep it under control for the enjoyment of everyone else.

These patrol people could be more than “enforcers.” They could be the true good-will ambassadors for the city, armed with information for the visitors.

A police presence in the park is good for everyone.

How is removing an ordinance that keeps our parks free of dogs, and everything that comes with them, even a consideration?

Has the City become so lazy and indifferent that the obvious consequences no longer matter?

We hear it, read it and see it every day. People walking their dogs, allowing them to do their “doody” and just walking away, leaving it for someone else to deal with. I see people pick it up in a bag and toss the bag into the bushes.

How do you feel about taking your kids to the park to let them run around and having them step or sit in doody?

How do you feel about grabbing a blanket, going to the park for a nice lunch or to just sit and read a book,  but now you have to be careful where you spread your blanket and your quiet time is disturbed by a barking dog? Because that’s what dogs do!

How do you feel about going to the concerts in the park and having to dodge other people’s dogs?

And I absolutely object to my tax dollars being spent on the proposed doody-bag dispensers. The cost will be in the neighborhood of $200 to $300 each. Depending on the size of the park, several per park will be needed. Not to mention the cost of the bags that will require constant replenishing.

Eight parks times? dispensers plus bags equal a whole lot of on-going expense. Not to mention city maintenance crews now dealing with the clean up and general maintenance.

Their justification for this expense is, “if we give them the bags, they’ll be better about picking up after their dog.”

Not everyone is a responsible and considerate dog-owner. We know that, and every day, we’re all faced with the reality of these folks not doing the right thing.

But now, instead of just on our lawn or our neighborhood sidewalk, it will be in our city parks as well.

Do you think that a dog being walked in the park is not going to relieve itself? Of course they are.

How about the inevitable dog fights? That is going to happen.

But worse than that, how about the child who will be bitten. That is going to happen.

I work for attorney’s who will not represent HOA’s that have their own dog parks within the complex. Too many incidents and too much liability on the HOA.

If Paso Robles allows dogs in their parks, they will be liable when (not if) there is an incident.

Councilman SteveGregory is in support of this because he wants to continue to walk his dog in the Downtown Park with impunity.

He is breaking the law by doing this, but obviously thinks the laws do not apply to him, and now wants those laws removed.

We have several dog parks throughout the city where you can let your dog off leash to run and play with others. Take them there. Not to the parks where my grandchildren play.

Jan Albin is a grandmother and a resident of Paso Robles.

 


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While I absolutely love dogs, there are other places to take your dog for recreation. There are plenty of hiking trails in the area that accept dogs. There are also two dog parks in the area, Sherwood and Vineyard.


And, a 20-minute drive to Cayucos will get you to the dog beach there where you have a few miles of space to run your dog off-leash (by the way, I go to that beach often and I rarely ever see any “doody” left on the beach because bags are provided and most dog owners who are willing to go to that beach will pick up after their dogs).


Nevertheless, I tend to agree with the letter writer. Let the parks be for families and kids to relax and play, without being wary of someone else’s dog.


1

Not everyone has transportation to get to designated dog parks,let alone drive 20 minutes to beach.If they want to walk their dog over to a neighboring park and through it they should be allowed too.

A good percentage of dog owners will keep their dogs leashed especially if their are children around .

So the City should give it a trial run and if to many dog owners can’t follow rules then go back to the old rule.


4

Dog owners pay taxes too! Why not let them enjoy a park that is maintained by the taxes they pay.Put out waste poop bags out and garbage cans for them to be dropped in,that part will end poop bags and hopefully poop being left behind.

Does Paso have City Park Rangers? SLO does and they like nothing more than write you a ticket if your dog is off leash in area of a City Park that is not designated so.

There will always be people who think that the rules do not pretain to them but for the most part pet owners are responsible people and will abide by the rules

set forth to be able to walk their leashed dog in the park.

Maybe I should complain about the money spent on playground equipment,the time and money to maintain it? Kids need a place to play outside and dog owners need a place to walk in their dogs.

The City parks are their for everyone.


4

Finding solutions to problems that don’t exist.


3

You sit in the poop, not me. Once again, not going.


5

Your comparison of someone walking their dog in a city park to shop lifters is absurd. There’s a 6 ft leash law in any public space unless it’s a designated space for off leash dogs. If someone is not following the 6 ft leash law and their dog causes problems, injuries, etc the owner of the dog would be held responsible not the city. If you work for an attorney office you should be aware of these laws that are already in place to hold irresponsible dog owners accountable. I highly doubt a police officer or a judge is going to consider it a crime for a responsible dog owner following the leash laws while walking their dog around a city park. As far as the dog poop bag dispensers if there was more available more people that forget poop bags in the car would be more likely to clean up after their dog. You suggested they cost $200-$300 dollars which would be a terrific investment and I’ll be happy for them to replace my tax money for yours to purchase them.


13

This opinion is hyper flamboyant. I do think, 3/4 of people who own animals as pets Vs food, are horrible at animal husbandry. And the idea of having pets to me, outside of them serving a role ie; livestock safeguards, or a copacetic tool, shouldn’t be allowed. But then, I don’t think 3/4 of the worlds humans are qualified to have children, yet, people don’t promote sex education or discuss it, and then boycott abortions; which really, saves souls vs lives. So, continue to raise abused animals badly, continue to make humans unethically in regard to finance and husbandry, and continue to step in dog crap, because, no one cares. If dogs in a park is a priority in Paso, I wish a meteor would strike the town and end this Roman Empire Racket. To even think this is worth dialogue given crisis that impact life forever here; like poisoned water, billionaires sucking up water, then God, end this Babylon quickly as we are not of worth.


-49

I’ve gotta tip my hat, this is a masterclasses in satire


3

If dirt bikers can ride in the Salinas River bed, then why can’t dogs go to the parks in Paso?


-20

I know you are above that Putinesque response. I am all for the Beaver Brigade, and people need to ride where permitted. But, the idea of, ” well you did this, justification, to an action” doesn’t work. I say, if people want to create a “sh*t” storm over dogs and bring us together to focus on real issues, then “hotdog” let’s do it. Anything to get rid of John Hammon.


-11

Can you now tell us how you really feel about dogs in public places, Jan?


9

I have never had a personal bad-experience reason to object to dogs in the parks.

Many times, I’ve seen dogs doing their business with some owners picking up and some not.

I’ve witnessed dogs off leash walking around with the owner and dogs off leash playing ball or Frisbee. I didn’t like it because there were children around as well.

But I have never reported any of this or confronted anyone about the leash law.

People often view their animals as they do their children. They defend their actions. I always walk away saying ‘I can’t fix everyone or change their behavior’. I just keep my grandkids closer to me.

But….when they proposed removing the Ordinance and now ALLOWING dogs to be there, I could see that people would view it as free range. And eventually we would have too many dogs, too much doody and absolutely no recourse.

If there is no Ordinance and no law, people will do as they please. Leash laws won’t even matter as I’ve been witness to.

I advocate for leaving the Ordinance in place and enforcing it when called for.

Laws are there when needed. Not to be used as a weapon, but as a tool for our protection.


11

I LOVE dogs and I agree with this 100%. Some places should just be dog free.


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