Torckpark loves dogs (dog leash-free zone)

Living in the Netherlands has shown us how very much people love and respect animals. The rights of all are respected and upon this fundamental thinking we hereby lobby for our dog community rights. and more tolerance.

INCONSISTENT LAW ENFORCEMENT & UNCLEAR SIGNAGE

Living next to a beautiful public park - Torckpark - has been a wonderful display of tolerance and harmony, but for a very few people who are keen to complain about most things. We notice the sign on entering the park that speaks of a few simple rules: No drinking under the age of 18 years, no cycling, no loud noise after 11pm. Nowhere does it say no dogs allowed off their leashes. For over a year, we have enjoyed the park with our dogs playing off their leashes. Until recently we have encountered the Gemeente BOA's in the area fining dog owners €100 if their dogs are found off their leashes, This without issuing a warning or regardless of the circumstances, and without any signage advising dog owners of rules.

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

1. COVID-19 has created social distancing and it is not safe for dog owners to get close to each other to de tangle the dog leashes when their dogs meet, greet and play.
2. COVID-19 has also created isolation and for many, meeting other like minded dog owners in the park, whilst their dogs play is the only socialization they have. It helps us feel part of a community.
3. Dogs need interaction with each other. They need to be socialized with each other and people. It is a basic requirement for their well-being and it makes for a happy pet that is not a risk to others as an unsociable animal may potentially be.
4. When dogs play on their leashes, they become tangled and often the leashes wrap around owners legs which is dangerous for frail, elderly and others who may fall as a result.
5. Some dog owners have walkers or health issues that impede their ability to control a dog on a leash and it therefore needs to walk freely under the command of its owner.
6. Many dogs receive training from owners and these activities need to be practiced off the leash.
7. Many owners under take free play activities with their dogs, like throwing and fetching a ball or frisbee and again
these are off leash activities.
8. Many dog owners feel part of the larger dog community and look forward to the pleasure of witnessing their dogs having fun, at play. It brings incredible joy, not just to them but also to so many others who watch. Students often love it as they miss their pets. Many young children are introduced to our dogs in the park, to learn how to pet and play with a dog. There is a much larger community that enjoy the happy animals than not.
9. In light of the above point it needs to be said that only the voices of the complainants have been heard. However those that find it pleasurable far out number those that don’t, but no-one calls the Gemeente to say they’re pleased. The resultant effect is that only those that complain are considered.
10. The general rule of thumb in the dog community is that if you have an aggressive, disagreeable dog, you keep it on the leash and advise other dog owners. Only socialized dogs are off leashes under the control of their owner.
11. It is a fact that being on a leash causes aggression with dogs as they feel vulnerable. As caring dog owners we make sure that our dogs are allowed free play.
12. It must be borne in mind that we walk our dogs close to where we live. We socialize with our local dog community and those in our vicinity and therefore it’s unreasonable to expect us to drive to a forest. As well as the fact that many people do not have cars,
13. You will notice dog owners picking up litter, observing the environment on so many levels. This to ensure the vicinity is safe for our dogs. We know many of the regulars who are seen in the park, and it is usually us, keeping our strange dog patrol hours - that keenly observe our environment and community. Ensuring that anything out of sorts receives attention. My friend called an ambulance for a stranger she noticed was not well, This whilst walking her dog in the middle of the night. Don’t marginalize us. We play a larger role than you might realize.
14. We pay dog tax, and local taxes and the real question remains : don’t we as dog owners also have rights?

The joy of having a pet, is not only in training it, and taking care of it - but also in giving it what it so desperately needs. Animal interaction and socialisation. Only other dogs can teach a dog how it is meant to behave. What is acceptable in their hierarchy. So many dog owners have met their neighbors and made friends during this long isolated period during the Covid 19 pandemic, due only to the interaction and friendliness found in socialising their pet. In truth not everyone believes that a dog going for a walk alone with it's owner is enough - there is so very much more that is necessary for the welfare of the animal and also the peace of mind of the owner. Our joy is found in watching our animals interact, socialise and play.

We have found that many other rules are not enforced. Cycling/ motorcycling through the park, or youths partaking in drinking or consumption of drugs. So we ask for fair treatment of all, and perhaps a revistation of the rules - are they still relevant`?

Any rules or laws in respect of dogs should be clearly and consistently signposted, so that visitors to the town are informed. Should you punish some for not keeping to rules, then you need to punish all, consistently - for their transgressions. It is all about fair implementation of what is deemed necessary, and right now the dog owners are feeling marginalized and targeted.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:-

1. We suggest that perhaps the easiest is a designated free dog zone - an area that may be fenced off if required and a space where people can throw a ball for their dog to catch, and have their dogs off their leashes to socialise and interact with others.

2. There is also another more responsible position of the rule that all “dogs are to be under the control of their owners.” Which means that well trained animals may in fact be off a leash.

3. The last matter for consideration is the freedom of interpretation which we recently observed during the period of Covid 19: whereby not all rules were observed or enforced. So whilst a rule might have been in place, certainly it was left up to individual towns to decide whether to enforcement was necessary.

We respectfully ask that you do not alienate us, and that we seek win-win solutions to what really is a simple issue.