More than 100 residents from every borough gathered at the Chelsea Recreation Center in Manhattan last Thursday to voice their beliefs. And while opponents of the policy made a spirited showing, off-leash advocates enjoyed an overwhelming majority.
“We call for the continuation and expansion of this policy,” said off-leash advocate Bob Marino, after slamming a stack of documents on the desk of Parks officials and claiming they represented 20,000 signatures of supporters. “It has worked for the last 20 years, and working together, it will work for at least 20 more.”
Marino also called on the city to clarify when and where dog owners may unleash their pets, require dogs to wear vaccination tags for rabies and other diseases, and post better signage explaining these rules.

Opponents, meanwhile, said the city should scrap the policy altogether, insisting that free-roaming dogs pose a threat to wildlife, plant life, even children and park patrons. “Our thing is, don’t tell us nine to 12 (at night), don’t tell us 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. — tell us ‘No’,” said Robert Doocey, a member of the Middle Village-based Juniper Park Civic Association. “No, we will not support this dangerous policy.”
The civic association sued the city last May for allegedly violating its own law in upholding what was then an informal policy. It cited a separate rule in the city Health Code requiring pets to be leashed at a length of 6 feet at all times in public. A state judge threw out the suit, ruling that the civic group had misinterpreted the law at issue, and urged health officials to codify the policy. In December, the Board of Health upheld that ruling by unanimously voting to amend the city health code to allow for off-leash privileges.
But the rulings have not quelled opposition from a vocal minority of off-leash foes — many of whom claim to be victims of vicious dog attacks. One speaker at last Thursday’s hearing said he had considered carrying Mace after being mauled by an unleashed dog in a park. One Middle Villager said she was sick of stepping in dog feces. “The Parks Department should be providing for a safe, clean and accessible park,” said Joyce Beaudoin. “That only happens if dogs are on their leash.”
But Rick Duro, president of the Sunnyside United Dog Society, contended that unleashed dogs actually improve the quality of life in and around parks. Duro said off-leash privileges had drawn more dog owners to his park, creating a human presence that helped rid the neighborhood of litterbugs, loiterers, even drug peddlers. “Our park doesn’t have the same problems it once had,” he said. “Off-leash works if you follow a simple idea — take care of your park and it will take care of you.”
Parks officials will consider the testimony provided by the more than 60 speakers at the hearing. They expect to release a decision within 30 days.

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(Colin Gustafson) Sunnyside resident Rick Duro, left, calls on the Department of Parks and Recreation to uphold off-leash privileges in public parks.