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Should All Milford Parks Ban Dogs? [POLL]

According to the Recreation Department, no dogs are allowed at Milford parks, except for the Dog Park section of Eisenhower. Do you think this should be the case?

Walnut Beach

Despite the presence of prominently featured "No Pets Allowed" signs at , a number of dogs on leashes can be found walking along the boardwalk everyday.

The opinion on Walnut Beach splits evenly between dog owners and pedestrians.

"It says 'No Dogs', so why would you bring your dog?" asks a jogger at the boardwalk. 

When asked if dogs should be allowed at the beach, another walker simply states, "No, I don't think so."

A Milford resident walking his black rottweiler is in favor of dogs being allowed on the boardwalk.

When asked 'Why', he explains, "We can walk on it together. It would be nice."

Eisenhower Park

Upon entering , tennis courts and playgrounds are immediately found. However, no sign for the only Dog Park in town is visible. A long, cobblestoned path leads to an open field where many dogs run through the grass with no enclosure in sight. However, this is not the Dog Park.

A number of dog owners gather in this field away from the designated Dog Park, allowing their pets to run in an open area. All of the dogs stay inside the bounds of the field, and they play with one another while the owners converse.

Several hundred feet away from the one place in Milford where dogs are allowed to roam free, a group of dog owners are making their own park.

Ryan Sartor (Editor) May 9, 2012 at 02:19 pm
Riss Watt: "I had no idea they were banned from parks."
- A comment left on the Milford Patch Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MilfordCTPatch?ref=tn_tnmn
Tom Smith May 9, 2012 at 03:03 pm
Many towns have dedicated off leash dog parks and encounter few problems. Milfords only dog park is a tiny, grossly inadequate fenced area at Eisenhower Park which is smaller than most peoples backyard. It is always the case that you will have some inconsiderate users, however Milford residents would benefit greatly from having an off leash dog park much like Fairfields at Lake Mohegian. They seem to manage their park with many different, diverse activities going on simultaneously while the dogs and their owners enjoy the space too (off leash). By the way, have you seen the droppings that the horses routinely leave behind !!!
Allie May 9, 2012 at 03:44 pm
First, let me say that I am a responsible dog owner. It is NOT Milford's responsibility to provide bags to clean up after YOUR pet, just as one wouldn't expect them to provide diapers for babies!
WSMS is NOTORIOUS for having "land mines" all over their field. Students tell me and I've SEEN dogs defecate there and owners DO NOT clean it up. School fields do not make appropriate dog runs. We dog owners who pick up after our pets KNOW that there will always be some "residue" left behind. I'm sensitive to the fact that park-goers with kids or those playing sports wouldn't appreciate playing in said "residue". We NEED to respect the fact that there are citizens of Milford who wish to LAWFULLY peruse our parks and beaches without having to hear barking dogs or having to see dogs defecating! This doesn't make them "dog haters", it simply makes them people who choose not to own dogs. As for an open dog park where dogs run freely? There is no assurance that other dogs are flea, tick, disease free or are up to date on their shots. The Milford Dog Shelter is located inside, and is accessed only by entering Silver Sands State Park. The Shelter has volunteers who walk the shelter dogs in the park. This would obviously seem like an ideal place to have a dedicated area or trails for those who wish to bring their dogs to a park. I realize this isn't the answer, but it is an idea. Essentially, Mr. Bennett said it best; "things aren't in black and white".
Linda Dishman May 9, 2012 at 04:03 pm
I sit on my balcony and watch these irresponsible people. It is appalling!!! I should take pictures. I don't undertand why Milford doesn't build a "Dog Park". Check out other cities like Colorado Springs. Reguardless, you still have to pick up the poop!!!!
In MIlford I see little bags of poo just thrown aside. Be a responsible pet owner.
John Pasnau May 9, 2012 at 06:50 pm
Essentially, Mr. Bennett said it best; "things aren't in black and white".
That's absurd. Things couldn't be more black and white. If you are on a beach or at city park with your dog, on a leash or not, you are breaking the law. Unless you are at Eisenhower Park. Then as long as your dog is on a leash (less than 10 feet) you can be in most of the park with the exception of certain restricted areas. The only public space where a dog can legally be off leash is the dog park at Eisenhower. Simple, black and white as it gets. The pooper scooper law is even simpler. If its poop from your dog the law REQUIRES you to pick it up. Not cover it, not leave it if its in the woods, pick it up. Period. Black and white. Read it for yourself: Prohibited Activities on Public Recreational Areas - City Ordinance 16-2(3) Bring any animal into any athletic facility or play area. Bring any animal into any beach or park area, with the following exceptions: a. Dogs on leashes not over 10 feet long will be permitted in Eisenhower Park except the model airplane field during operations hours, the gardens, soccer field, tennis court area and playing fields. The area where leashed dogs are permitted is as marked on the Eisenhower Park map on file at the City Clerk's office and is designated by signage at the park. b. Dogs off leashes are permitted in the dog run at Eisenhower Park but must be brought to the run leashed and remain leashed at all other times.
John Pasnau May 9, 2012 at 06:51 pm
Removal Of Animal Waste (Pooper Scooper) - City Ordinance 9-9
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, keeping, walking or in control of any dog to allow or permit such animal to defecate upon any private property, owned by another person, or condominium common elements or public property, including but not limited to public beaches, parks and school grounds, unless such person shall remove all feces so deposited by such animal and dispose of same in a proper manner before leaving the immediate premises. (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any blind person.
Ryan Sartor (Editor) May 9, 2012 at 07:43 pm
I spoke with PETA representative Ashley Palmer on the issue of dogs being allowed in public parks, and Palmer had this to say on behalf of PETA: "As tax payers, dog owners should be allowed to bring their dogs into public parks."
John Pasnau May 9, 2012 at 08:05 pm
Is it ironic, or planned that in the section just below this, titled "The Neighborhood Files - Milford Pics & Clips" - the lead photo is of a dog illegally walking on the beach titled "My dog, Kalina at Walnut Beach Credit: Anne Weizel"? Either way, well played Milford Patch!
Gary Jeanfaivre (Editor) May 9, 2012 at 08:38 pm
Totally ironic, John, but nice eye!
Anne Weizel May 10, 2012 at 12:51 am
Dogs are allowed below the tideline by law.
Anne Weizel May 10, 2012 at 12:52 am
I was told by Bob Rudd-President of the Wildemere Beach Association that the City of Milford gave permission for dogs to walk on the Walnut Beach part of the boardwalk, and that the no dogs allowed sign is only on the Silver Sands entrance.
Anne Weizel May 10, 2012 at 12:54 am
Also Kalina is one of many many dogs that walk on the sand during low tide. Never have I been the only one there.
John Pasnau May 10, 2012 at 01:06 am
Hi Anne,
I really don't care, this is just interesting to me, and you take lovely photographs, HOWEVER, here is the regulation. I am not a lawyer but my my understanding of the law is that it really doesn't matter who tells you what, or what common practice is, or what you believe, or what everyone else does. What matters is what the law actually says. And here is the law: Prohibited Activities on Public Recreational Areas - City Ordinance 16-2(3) Bring any animal into any athletic facility or play area. Bring any animal into any beach or park area, with the following exceptions: a. Dogs on leashes not over 10 feet long will be permitted in Eisenhower Park except the model airplane field during operations hours, the gardens, soccer field, tennis court area and playing fields. The area where leashed dogs are permitted is as marked on the Eisenhower Park map on file at the City Clerk's office and is designated by signage at the park. b. Dogs off leashes are permitted in the dog run at Eisenhower Park but must be brought to the run leashed and remain leashed at all other times. It clearly says it is prohibited to bring any animal to any beach. That means when I walk the boardwalk with Willie (my bird) in his chest pack cage, I am just as guilty of a violation as you are when you bring your dogs. Period. The regulations as written say Bob is not correct.
Ryan Sartor (Editor) May 10, 2012 at 04:12 pm
From a health perspective, A. Dennis McBride, MD, of the Milford Department of Public Health, is not overly concerned about the spread of communicable diseases from dogs.
"These are really mild," McBride said, "there isn't much real health concern." McBride went on to say, "My concern is that people, it's often hard to enforce, cleaning up after their dogs, keeping their dogs leashed, keeping their dogs immunized from rabies is important. These are the key things I'm concerned about." McBride addressed the health concerns once again, saying, "The danger of disease from dogs is really a marginal public health concern. There are very few diseases that would be of concern in a casual encounter with a dog." As for the issue of Milford citizens being upset about dogs in public parks? "The reaction by non-dog people," McBride said, "I believe, is understandable."
Cheereeo May 10, 2012 at 06:37 pm
First of all, I am more concerned about the poop left by the dirty, disgusting Canadian Geese and Mother Goose Geese all over the duckpond than I am about the dog poop since MOST (I say MOST) owners are responsible about picking up after their beloved dogs. I agree with J. Pasnau and D Rubenstein about the neat idea of doing something at the time of licensing at the City Clerk's office, or even educating during that time with some kind of pamphlet showing where dogs are allowed/not allowed, etc.--not sure if they do this now. (For example, dogs are not allowed at school fields; however, I see neighbors walking them around there all the time.) I agree with many others that West Haven Board Walk allows dogs and bikes, and it always seems lovely and accepted by everyone, and I also have never seen poop there. Leash laws need to be enforced. I realize it is nearly impossible. But maybe they could get the frequent offenders if it is a same-time/same-place kinda deal--e.g., when the owner walks his/her dog every day at 5:30 AM or 5:30 PM. All this is making me think of the scene from "Marley and Me" when Marley took a poop in the ocean in the no-dogs-allowed section of the public beach. Bad Marley!
Anne Weizel May 10, 2012 at 06:53 pm
I am extremely concerned about the huge amount of people who regularly litter and who feel its o.k. to dump their bulk items in the woods. No matter how many responsible citizens pick up trash there is always huge amounts of garbage everywhere. They might be the same people who also don't remove their dog's poop. Maybe the two opposing sides should be those who value Milford's natural resources, and those who don't. Also there appears to be a huge amount of underage drinking going on after hours in the woods and beaches. Last summer I encountered a girl who said she was fifteen , crawling on the ground, at Walnut Beach so drunk she didn't know where she was. Bonfires by the teenagers burn after hours at Eisenhower and Silver Sands, and Milford's open space areas..
Anne Weizel May 10, 2012 at 06:56 pm
I know Silver Sands was formerly a landfill, and when I walk the wooded paths I have seen piles of rusted metal, old sinks couches, oil floating on water, and various other items of disgust.
Ryan Sartor (Editor) May 10, 2012 at 06:59 pm
Pat Liptak, a founder of the Milford Dog Park at Eisenhower Park said, "I would love to see dogs everywhere, but there are so few responsible dog owners."
Talking about the Dog Park, Liptak said, "The city needs a much bigger park."
Deb Rose May 10, 2012 at 08:26 pm
First of all, there's all sorts of poop in public parks. Birds poop all over the place, especially the ducks & geese. Squirrels also relieve themselves. Hate to break it to you, but if your kids/grandkids are outside in the grass, there is likely poop of some kind in the grass. I am not suggesting that owners should not pick up after their dogs. I am not. But even without dogs, there's poop in the public parks.
Secondly, why do you assume that the parks are for human activity alone??? Why do your kids/grandkids have more of a right to paly in the parks than my dog as long as my dog doesn't leave behind a mess? I've seen VERY irresponsible parents/grandparents who allow their kids to throw/leave food, scream, and generally run amok, annoying everyone around them. Should they be banned from the parks? Of all the parks/beaches in Milford, dogs are only allowed in restricted areas of Eisenhower Park, on leash, or in the mud pit called a "dog park." Perhaps if there was a decent place to take dogs to run and there were more places where people could legally walk their dogs, more dog owners would abide by the rules.
Deb Rose May 10, 2012 at 08:33 pm
I totally agree! While I know there are irresponsible dog owners and that leaving dog poop is certainly not acceptable, from what I've seen, PEOPLE, especially poorly behaved kids, create more of a mess and an annoyance than dogs! I've seen more trash than dog poop. The graffiti is certainly more difficult and expensive to remove than dog poop. It seems that Milford, while never dog-friendly, is becoming downright hostile towards dogs.
Deb Rose May 10, 2012 at 08:44 pm
Well put! I wonder how many of the people complaining about the irresponsible dog owners breaking the rules, don't follow the rules and/or allow their children to break them, making a mess, annoying or even potentially harming others?
Deb Rose May 10, 2012 at 09:02 pm
I don't like stepping in poop or poop "residue" either. Frankly I haven't met the person who does, dog owner of not. However, I do not share your concern for citizens who want to "peruse our parks and beaches without having to hear barking dogs or having to see dogs defecating!" I would like to enjoy the beaches and parks without people leaving trash, especially something that could injure someone or food to attract insects that carry disease and kids screaming, blaring music, running into me with bikes, or on rollerskates/rollerblades/wheelies, etc. I find that FAR more offensive. To me, a screaming child and a parent who leaves a dirty diaper, which I have seen done, is just as bad as a dog barking or a dog owner who doesn't clean up after their dog.
Anne Weizel May 10, 2012 at 09:13 pm
Even though I posted the photo, and I clearly am responsible.. I do feel a little like a fly led into a spider's web.
Deb Rose May 10, 2012 at 09:27 pm
Point well taken! However, I fear you are trying to use reason with people who can only see their own perspective. There's a line from the song "Smackwater Jack" that fits: "You can't talk to a man, when he don't want to understand!" Those who would like dogs banned from everywhere see only what irresponsible owners do or don't do, not what the majority of dog owners do. Nor do they see how their own irresponsible and/or illegal behavior is viewed as just as disgusting and/or annoying by others. I've actually seen a bike rider nearly run into a dog on a leash and the owner at the beach and yell at the dog owner that he shouldn't be there!
Val Maloney August 6, 2012 at 03:46 pm
Ban the dog owners that don't pick up after their dog.
Alex Brack November 25, 2012 at 03:32 am
Will there also be a ban on adolescents, as a good majority of them have the ability to pick up after themselves, unlike a dog, but choose not to?
LAM November 25, 2012 at 07:01 pm
I really couldn't care less what PETA has to say on any topic.
Ed November 25, 2012 at 10:30 pm
If all pet owners were responsible then I would say yes. Unfortunately they are not.
Ed November 25, 2012 at 10:35 pm
I agree on banning adolescents if they are defecating in the park...
Patricia Cole December 30, 2012 at 08:03 pm
Bottom line is....the responsible person...whether at a dog park, or in life in general... is quickly disappearing from the planet.
Just venture ONE time into ANY Walmart (if you dare!) and you will see evidence of this all around you. I stay away at all costs because the people there SCARE me - these are the SAME people who don't pick up after themselves OR their pets. And the world is being overrun by them. While I may have 2 kids, they have 5 or 10 and the responsible people are being overrun. People litter and deface the planet constantly. I do what I can, for example, by recycling, and on the way there I see fast food trash, beer cans, soda cans, even dirty diapers.....you name it...by the side of the road. The more WE do to clean things up...the more THEY do to trash it up. It's a vicious cycle and responsible people are losing. We just are. :(

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