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FREQUENTLY ASKED DOG PARK QUESTIONS
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Q: WILL THE PARK BE FENCED IN?
A: Yes, and the surrounding fencing will be at least 6' tall.
Q: WILL IT HAVE A GATED ENTRY SO THAT DOGS CAN'T GET OUT OF THE PARK?
A: Yes. Dogs must remain on leash until they are within the enclosed double gate. We hope to have electronic gated access.
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Q: WILL THERE BE ANY RULES FOR USING THE PARK?
A: Yes. Those rules will be posted at the park entrance, and if we implement a
membership policy for the park, people will have to agree to follow those rules.
Q: HOW MANY DOG PARKS ARE LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES?
A: 1200 -- with more opening all the time...all over the WORLD! As a matter of fact, the Palmetto Bay Dog Owners Group (committee) has been asked for advice and assistance in opening a dog park in Kendall -- and another in Michigan...and our park hasn't even been approved yet!
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Q: HOW MANY OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS ARE IN MIAMI?
A: There are 3 LEGAL off-leash dog parks -- two in Coconut Grove and one in
Hialeah. There are many other off-leash parks in Miami, but they are not legal
for off-leash dog walking.
Q: HOW WILL THE PARK BE PAID FOR?
A: We hope to pay for it through donations and corporate sponsorships. We will surely apply for grants, as well.
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Q: WHAT ABOUT FLEAS AND TICKS?
A: We plan to have regularly scheduled extermination treatments done.
Q: WHAT ABOUT MOSQUITOES (THAT SPREAD HEARTWORM DISEASE)?
A: We hope to install a few mosquito machines to keep mosquitoes out of our
park. The county has the "Mosquito Planes" that fly over and exterminate, so
these machines will be an extra security measure.
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Q: "WILL MY TAXES BE PAYING FOR A PARK FOR DOGS!?
A: We're hoping to raise enough money to pay for the dog park. There are many people in Palmetto Bay who have no children but have always paid taxes for schools for them. This park will be used by humans (our Palmetto Bay neighbors) and their pets.
Q: WHY BUILD A DOG PARK?
A: Dogs who exercise regularly are healthier animals. Healthier pets live longer.
*Humans who exercise with their pets benefit from the recreation.
*Studies show that ownership of pets lowers blood pressure. Being around pets
(even if people come to the park who don't own pets) will help others.
*Dogs can run freely in a park, whereas they aren't free to run far or fast in most yards. (Some people don't even have yards, so their pets only go
out on leash, when they go out.)
*Pets, like people, benefit from social interaction with others (including pets).
*The dog park will be educational for pet owners (via signage, others'
advice, presentations/demonstrations done there).
*Dog parks promote responsible pet ownership (cleaning up after your pet,
socializing your pet, staying current on all vaccinations, obeying laws, etc.).
*The dog park will be a positive civic center. It will build community enhancement. It will provide bonds of community to neighbors who have something in common (pets).
*Affluent, upscale, trendy, cutting-edge, progressive places across the
country have dog parks. As a matter of fact, Eddie, the dog on the television comedy, "Frasier," regularly goes to a dog park in Seattle!
*Realtors around the country promote dog parks to home buyers!
*Dog parks are secure areas for dog play...owners don't have to fear that pets will be hit by cars.
Q: WILL THERE BE DOG FIGHTS IN THE DOG PARK?
A: Maybe. Most dogs "act growly," and work it out amongst themselves without ever becoming aggressive. Those dogs who can't behave or get along with the other dogs will have to be taken home. Dogs off-leash are not territorial. It's when they are restrained or confined that they act territorial and aggressive (like behind your fence at home)! We may implement a "three strikes policy" or a "warning policy," where those pets who continually misbehave will no longer be allowed to come to the park. We are also associated with dog trainers, and they'll be doing demonstrations and will offer training classes in the park!!
Q: WON'T MY CHILDREN GET HURT IN A DOG PARK?
A: Children will not be allowed into the park unescorted (nor will dogs).
Q: IF SOMEONE ABANDONS A DOG IN THE DOG PARK, IS THAT A VALID REASON NOT TO BUILD IT?
A: NO! Case-in-point: Someone has an accident on I-95.
Do we close it down? No...we build more roads and expand
the highways! The dog park must be run by rules -- NOT BY EXCEPTIONS...using facts...not a lack of knowledge or paranoia.
Q: HOW ARE PEOPLE REACTING TO THE IDEA OF AN OFF-LEASH DOG PARK IN PALMETTO BAY?
A: VERY positively!! As of November 15, 2003, we have at least 1500
total signatures (of which, approx. 700 are those of Palmetto Bay residents)!
Q: IS SIGNATURE GATHERING GOING SMOOTHLY?
A: Someone's obviously angered by our paperwork. Our petitions and flyers
are repeatedly disappearing or being thrown on the ground, so we are now having them monitored at every location. Per one sponsor with whom we met..."...off-leash dog parks are everywhere -- if they don't get developed in Miami right now, they will, and VERY soon...and Palmetto Bay will have missed out on being at the forefront of development in Miami." This is a HAPPY project -- developing an undeveloped, underused park and making it fun and useful for everyone. Our committee is conducting our research and petition-gathering FAIRLY, so shouldn't those against it should conduct theirs fairly, as well? PRO-PARK SIGNERS: You are the official "PETITION PATROL" -- PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT AND STOP THESE PROBLEMS FROM HAPPENING...and report them to the committee at DogParkMiami@aol.com RIGHT AWAY!
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AND FORWARD...
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