Monday, April 13, 2009

Say What? Off-Leash Fines Increased to $1,000 per Pooch?

Says the Smushnose Dog Meetup Group
Dog Owners/Walkers BEWARE

New City laws increase the cost of violations for off leash dogs and/or not picking up the dog’s poop from $100 to $1,000!

The City did not communicate the new laws to the citizens and began to enforce it without notification or advanced warning.

The City has been conducting “raids” at most of the larger parks with Animal Control issuing citations and police officers present to ensure owners do not flee the scene.

Please join us for a conversation with Councilman Ed Reisinger. He has agreed to talk with us about the decisions that have been made at the city council level, why they were made, and to help find a way to address the needs of the entire community.

Thursday, April 16th 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Riverside Park Pavilion [The Mansion]

Let’s show the city how much we care about the welfare of our dogs and their ability to get safe exercise. Bring your friends and neighbors. Show up in packs!!

24 comments:

  1. No, don't. Keep dogs on leashes and you wont have any problems.

    This is a city, not your backyard.

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  2. RatherBeBiking - Do you feel as if a $1,000 ticket is fair for this offense? The fine for carrying a concealed weapon is also $1000.

    Perhaps the city should create more dog parks and this wouldn't be an issue.

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  3. $1000 is a bit ridiculous. I'm glad the city is focusing on the 'important' issues facing its citizens. All the more reason I support a dog park in Patterson Park and eventually other areas of the city.

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  4. Classic. Bloated liberal government looking for any means of squeezing money out of citizens to fund their fiasco.

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  5. $1,000 is excessive. People should pick up after their dogs, but the punishment should also fit the crime and the proposed increase is over the top.

    RatherBeBiking appears to be an anti-car, anti-dog douchebag.

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  6. Anti Foie Gras thugs have struck again in Howard County.

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  7. Also, it's worth remembering that whenever the government starts using law enforcement as a way to generate revenue you can be CERTAIN that abuses will occur. Look at the crap that some city parking enforcement thugs have pulled.

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  8. Here's a sort-of crime related story. More cases of measles are popping up in MoCo. What's the reason?

    "Maryland boasts one of the highest rates of childhood immunizations, but the most recent measles outbreak is happening among foreign-born residents who might never have received the vaccinations, she said."

    Why to I have a feeling that those "foreign-born residents who might never have received the vaccinations" are better known as "illegals."

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  9. punishment should fit the crime. if you dont have your dog on a leash or leave feces from your dog to infect children, YOU SHOULD LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO OWN A DOG

    http://www.doodycalls.com/resources_toxic_dog_waste.asp

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  10. And how in the world would you suggest enforcing such a rule? It's not like kids are going to die if they step in dog crap.

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  11. ppatin,

    The MoCo measles patients are probably not illegal. There are huge numbers of South Asian immigrants who have moved to MoCo. So that's 3 of the 4. The 4th is an infant who just didn't get the vaccination yet.

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  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. I started the Smushnose Meetup Group and I just wanted to add a little clarity to the posting. First of all, I am not against fining dog owners who don't leash their dogs or pick up after them. I have recently begun an initiative to build a dog park at Herring Run Park. We need people to come to this meeting on Thursday and express their desire for more dog parks (the city promised 8 but now finances are preventing this.) Lastly, did you know that now those that abuse their animals or participate in dog fighting will be fined less than those have their dog off leash? We need to get our priorities straight.

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  14. So in Baltimore, if you are going to conduct a dog fight, make sure both dogs are on a leash.....

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  15. Jeff - Why isn't a reasonable fine amount sufficient discouragement? If you break the law you deserve a fine, but $1000 is excessive.

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  16. 1000k is not the same as 1k!

    1000k = 1,000,000

    1k = 1,000

    :)

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  17. FYI, many people would not live in Baltimore City without a dog. The people who own dogs walk the streets (always at all times pups gotta go) so we see what is really going on. There are no cops to protect us. Dogs help us keep safe in the parks too people. And FYI haters, its the dog owners that organize the park clean up days so your kids and play in a needle, drug bag free area. Way to go today on the reduction of fines! Yea Dell!

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