Comments on: Dog owners want off-leash access to Fisher Farm

By: A Jung

A Jung — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:40:04 +0000

I am sadly one of the people who no longer frequent FFP because of the tremendous numbers out-of-control off-lead dogs. I prefer to walk my giant breed dog on lead and I find it totally intolerable to have a gang of up to 5 dogs rush up to us and get right in my dog’s face to “play” or “growl” or whatever may happen. If my dog were aggressive, thankfully she is not at all, this would be very dangerous. If these owners had one iota of off-lead voice control over their pets and were respectful of someone actually obeying the lay, I would not have any complaints. But sadly, this has never been the case. I have had bird watchers, hikers, etc actually come up to me and THANK me for walking my dog on lead and tell me how much they appreciate it. There are so many rude people that feel that their dogs are entitled to run around totally out of control. If you have no control over your dog off-lead, then go to a fenced in dog park. If you must disobey the law, then do not subject me and my dog to your rude dog’s behavior and do whatever it takes to train your dog for off-lead control.

By: D Edwards

D Edwards — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:51:31 +0000

Hi all,
I am one of the people that has complained about the off leash dogs at Fisher Farm for years, talking with Steve from Parks & Rec and Chief Miller.

I previously used Fisher Farm for mtn biking and hiking, and my wife ran there. Now I have a child, so you can add hiking with him in a carrier or off road jog stroller.

I am a dog owner and I lost my patience with off leash dog owners at the park long ago.

I can’t take my dog to Fisher Farm because of off leash dogs. He doesn’t do well with unknown dogs just coming up to him, but is fine if they are on a leash.

My wife had problems while she was pregnant, some ladies were walking labs off leash and they jumped up on her and she got really upset about it. The dog owners were not nice.

We had an encounter with our son, I was putting him in a carrier in the grass area and an off-leash dog rushed up and wanted to investigate. A friend was standing there with her dog, on leash, and her dog went into protective mode and it almost got ugly with my child right there at dog level. The dog owner smarted off to my wife and said something like “make sure you get my license plate number” as she drove off, no apologies at all. Other dog owners standing there were shocked at that owner’s behavior. It’s about the 5-6th time I’ve seen a dog owner be rude after having an off leash dog and someone says something to them.

So for me, the leash law is about safety and respect. If you want to let your dog run free, buy some land, use an off-leash dog park, etc. You can’t get away with this in parks anywhere else around here like Jetton, Lake Norman State Park, etc, Fisher Farm should be no different. People go to the park not expecting to encounter off leash dogs, as they would expect at any park. You are being selfish by thinking everyone loves your off-leash dog.

By: Jane Moss

Jane Moss — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:51:28 +0000

While walking at Fisher Farm I had an off leash dog jump up on me when I was seven months pregnant. Instead of the owner apologizing they argued with me about how it was their right to have their dog off leash. Dogs jumping up on people, especially pregnant women and children is a danger. Leash laws have been enacted to protect the public! I find it uncomprehendable that for the joy of some dog owners people are willing to forego the safety of children and others who may have medical conditions that compromise their balance or safety if they are jumped on by a dog, especially one that is running up to them. If people want dogs off leash then it needs to be in a safe area confined so that others are not potentially hurt by off leash dogs…..which is illegal.

By: Ken Conrad

Ken Conrad — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:53:09 +0000

We’re all products of our past. We live near Fisher Park and recently a lost dog appeared in my yard with no ID on the collar. I spent considerable time and effort securing the dog, putting up signs, calling animal control in Davidson and Cornelius to see if anyone had reported a dog of his description as lost. Finally, at my wife’s suggestion, I called David at davidsonnews.net who posted a notice which some kind and attentive Fisher Park hiker read and called me with enough information that I could locate and call the owner who had been looking for the dog.
The owners came and gladly claimed their dog but admitted letting him run free in Fisher Park the evening before. Incidentally they told me they live in Mooresville off Highway 150.
Obviously, if we grant free roaming for pets at Fisher Park, the possibility is great that it would generate even more interest in dog owners bringing their pets in for an unfettered runaround. Our beloved Fisher Park could soon become known as “Dog Park”…..

By: M.C. Mader

M.C. Mader — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:31:01 +0000

Dear Dogowners: Combine your assets, buy a field, fence it, pick up your own poo and deal with your dog’s freedom on your terms.

You do not need a leash on private property. Create a Co-Op.

By: Robert Maier

Robert Maier — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:33:11 +0000

Two problems with loose dogs in the park:

1) They frequently run up to walkers, and you don’t know whether they will bite, or not. Sorry folks, but I’ve been bitten by a strange loose dog, and have had friends bitten too. It does happen. These dogs are strangers to the walkers, so it is un-nerving, at the very least. Much more frequently, dogs do jump up on people. One cracked a lens on my camera in Fisher Farm Park, by jumping up on my side, where the camera was hung.

2) Dogs defecate regularly on the trails and open areas in Fisher Farm Park. Kids roll on the ground, people fly kites, and play catch, etc. in the open areas. You really have to dodge doggie business in some places, despite the availability of free business bags.

If these two problems can be solved, few would have a problem with loose dogs in the park, but the leash law applies to a public park for the same reasons it does in town. Some dogs are a nuisance, and some dog owners are irresponsible. This is the root problem that needs to be solved, but as all the leash laws attest, there is no easy solution– except a leash law and serious enforcement of it.

Finally, because 40-50 passionate people attend a single town meeting, that does not mean they speak for the majority. Thousands of people use Fisher Farm Park, and there are many other opportunities to express opinions on town issues. I trust that town officials will consider all input channels.

By: Kathy Tyson

Kathy Tyson — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:48:46 +0000

BJ
I agree that Laurie’s article did a wonderful job of capturing the event. I hope that others will provide additional comments as directed in the article. In the meantime, please remember that all Davidson residents need to register their pets. As of today, only 77 pets are registered. The cost is only $10 and if you are over 62 years old, there is no fee. Please remember to bring proof of all rabies vaccinations to Town Hall. As to Fisher Farm, I think we all agree that the park is an incredible resource for many user groups. The ‘off leash’ experience is wonderful; however, we need to work together in a positive way to make sure that this privilege becomes a legal one. In addition, we can join forces to improve conditions at the O. Henry Dog Park and expand the generous efforts of Doug Boone. If you are a facebook user, please consider becoming a fan of ‘Friends of Fisher Farm Park’ in order to share ideas.
Thanks
Kathy Tyson

By: BJ Lyman

BJ Lyman — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:47:54 +0000

Hi Laurie:

Thanks for providing coverage regarding topics discussed during last nights Town Meeting. I did attend the meeting and commented on what a productive forum it was. I wish to clarify that this was a well publicized meeting which was open to the public, not just Dog Owners. The outpouring of support represented by those who spoke & attended yesterday’s meeting seems to be in stark contrast to the stated concerns which eventually led to the creation of a “sub-committee” and the necessity of a focused Town Meeting. Although there were no official statistics presented to the group last night regarding the volume and frequency of complaints towards Off-Leash Dog Walkers (or Mountain Bikers for that matter), it appears, based upon the tone of support represented last night that these negative interactions are infrequent and may be perpetuated by few rather than many. We have a voice in our community and last night was an unbiased opportunity for all affected to voice the pros and con’s from both sides, so that objective decision making can prevail. Seeing that this Town asset has not developed too much in the 8-years since I participated in the initial tour of the land, I believe many additional options (beyond those you’ve highlighted) were presented last night which adequately address the issues and continue to support the ability of an owner to enjoy the vastness of Fisher Farm Park without the confines of leashing their best friend for the entire walk.

Thanks,
BJ Lyman