To the Editor:

In recent months, the Town of Guilderland Parks and Recreation Department has received an increased number of complaints about dogs running off-leash in town parks and on town-owned playing fields. Owners who allow their dogs to run off-leash can put their dogs, humans, and other dogs in harm’s way.

Here are some things to consider:

— 1.  It’s the law  (Town Code Section 120-19): The town has placed signs at each park reminding dog owners that all dogs must be leashed in town parks and owners are responsible for removal of dog waste.  Owners will inform us that their dog or dogs are “friendly” and “under their control”; however, simply put — it’s against the law for owners to allow their dogs to run at-large in our parks;

— 2. Harm: Dogs running off-leash are more likely to find things that could be harmful to them, including rotten food, other dogs’ waste, wild animals, etc. Dog owners who allow their dogs to roam will not always know where the dog has been or where the dog waste is located; and

— 3. Control: While walking or running on the trails at Tawasentha Park, residents have encountered dogs off-leash. While your dog may be friendly, it is important to understand that a) many people are afraid of dogs, especially dogs running toward them off-leash; b) some dogs may not be friendly or may be afraid of other dogs; c) a dog owner may be training his or her dog to walk on leash and feel threatened by an off-leash dog; and d) your “friendly” dog could harm a child or someone who is physically unable to withstand being jumped upon.

The town of Guilderland built a fully enclosed dog park at Nott Road Park (adjacent to Nott Road fields and the town’s wastewater plant). All residents should register their dogs and obtain a dog-park tag ($5.00 for the full year) so that they and their dogs can enjoy the dog park. Please visit the town website at http://www.townofguilderland.org/parks-recreation/pages/dog-park-rules for more information. The parks department is exploring the need for a second dog park within the town.

Our town parks staff works hard to maintain the beauty of our parks. It is not their job to police the parks, so we ask that you obey the law and leash your dog and pick up all dog waste. Unfortunately, the alternative is that the town and animal control will be forced to enforce the law and ticket abusers.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (518) 456-3150 if you have any questions or concerns.

Gregory J. Wier, director

Parks and Recreation

Linda R. Cure, Public Relations Officer

Parks and Recreation

Guilderland