Colchester Considers Establishing Dog Park

The town has a playscape, a splash park and a recreation complex with fields for humans to play on. Now, the parks and recreation department is thinking about creating a self-funded park for man's best friend. The parks and recreation department is seeking volunteers for a subcommittee to look into creating a dog park, an idea the town has been considering for a number of years. Parks and recreation routinely receives calls and e-mails about the creation of a dog park, said Jason Cohen, the department's director.

[pepperqueen]

why why why??? no need for this waste of money, especially in tough times like this

[Olympic Fan]

I have to agree, particularly when Colchester lacks sufficient public services. They could start by using the money to fix police cruisers or add to staff so the town isn't left unprotected after midnight.

[Dogs rule]

Dogs should have the freedom to run free, smell each other, and enjoy life just as we humans do. Who would not support this worthy project? Cat lovers, probably!

Do it. Our taxes already go to lots of undeserving people and free loaders, and since this is self funded, how can you object?

As far as being unprotected at night, as my friend from Norwich stated, let the larger dogs run free at night to seek out criminals and other nefarious types. A few well-placed bites will keep the town safer at night.

See how easy it is when your heart is in the right place?

[Malik]

I just moved here from Meriden. I hope this passes. Everyday after work, Diesel and I have met up with about 8 other people and their Rottie's at the dog park in Wethersfield. Things are calm for the most part and the dogs (and owners) socialize for about 1 hour so. Nice way to wind down from a long day after work. Recently a new 'couple' shows up and everyone is really friendly and inviting. We make sure the dogs don't overwhelm the new dog and things should be great. Well, they haven't been. The dog keeps peeing on PEOPLE and the owner thinks its cute. It isn't and I said something to him about it and he just laughed it off as "that's how dogs are." Um.. no, that's how UNTRAINED dogs are, especially when the owner laughs and thinks it's cute. Dude, it's not f*cking cute. That's how dogs and owners get KICKED. Well, he peed on one woman who was there with her daughter and the woman started SCREAMING at this guy and his dog and his dog started growling. Not good at all. Her dog and and this guy's dog started fighting and then Diesel, my 100+ lb Rottie got in the middle to break it up and the dog bit him and then things got REALLY ugly. I've never seen a Rotweiler lose its sh*t. It wasn't pretty at all. We finally get them broken up. The couple finally leaves and takes their dog with them and then a woman with a black poodle shows up with all of the dogs already on edge and her dog starts attacking DJ, the shepherd/st. bernard mix with Washania. My friend Mzale asked the woman to get her dog on a leash (this is a dog that has attacked dogs at the park before). Well, the woman started in with the "It's a free country..." and Jauhar lost it. Long story short. We are looking for a new dog park to hang out in after work to socialize and exercise our pets. This would be a great addition to the area and I hope it sees the light of day.

[Irving]

Malik wrote:

I just moved here from Meriden. I hope this passes. Everyday after work, Diesel and I have met up with about 8 other people and their Rottie's at the dog park in Wethersfield. Things are calm for the most part and the dogs (and owners) socialize for about 1 hour so. Nice way to wind down from a long day after work. Recently a new 'couple' shows up and everyone is really friendly and inviting. We make sure the dogs don't overwhelm the new dog and things should be great. Well, they haven't been. The dog keeps peeing on PEOPLE and the owner thinks its cute. It isn't and I said something to him about it and he just laughed it off as "that's how dogs are." Um.. no, that's how UNTRAINED dogs are, especially when the owner laughs and thinks it's cute. Dude, it's not f*cking cute. That's how dogs and owners get KICKED. Well, he peed on one woman who was there with her daughter and the woman started SCREAMING at this guy and his dog and his dog started growling. Not good at all. Her dog and and this guy's dog started fighting and then Diesel, my 100+ lb Rottie got in the middle to break it up and the dog bit him and then things got REALLY ugly. I've never seen a Rotweiler lose its sh*t. It wasn't pretty at all. We finally get them broken up. The couple finally leaves and takes their dog with them and then a woman with a black poodle shows up with all of the dogs already on edge and her dog starts attacking DJ, the shepherd/st. bernard mix with Washania. My friend Mzale asked the woman to get her dog on a leash (this is a dog that has attacked dogs at the park before). Well, the woman started in with the "It's a free country..." and Jauhar lost it. Long story short. We are looking for a new dog park to hang out in after work to socialize and exercise our pets. This would be a great addition to the area and I hope it sees the light of day.

With a Rotweiler anything can happen. Keep your fingers crossed and use a tight leash, preferably chain. See next paragraph from Google:

If you have small children, I do not recommend a Rottweiler. Young Rottweilers (up to about three years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. In addition, Rottweilers may try to protect their own children from other children, which could lead to tragedy if kids are simply roughhousing and your Rottweiler decides to stop it. With such a massive dog, I wouldn't take the risk.

[Hartford homeowner]

Malik, The story you posted about Wethersfield is a good example of why dog parks are a bad idea. I used to go there with my 2 well behaved dogs but got sick of them being prayed upon by aggressive dogs. I find that most owners far too busy socializing to watch their dogs and that they are often clueless about canine behavior. A good dog park person will constantly be engaging with their dog, is always watchful and ready to intervene if problem arise.

I'm a dog trainer and I don't recommend these parks to my clients. They tend to be very chaotic with a ever changing pack order that ramps up the excitement and stress levels for many dogs. They are also cess pools of disease. Many dogs at Wethersfield have become ill due to disease spread by feces in the soil and contaminated water. There are better options, small playgroups with dogs you know and trust, dog sports like rally and Agility and tkaing long walks in the woods.

[the other Resident]

They want to do this in East Haddam too! Would love info on the disease etc...to share with others. This is a feel good topic, but one that comes with alot of unknown risks. Any info out there?

[Conserned Mom]

UPDATE:
There is an informal dog park committee. Funding is being raised, stickers, flyers et can be found at several businesses around town.
For more information you can visit the park and rec page and search dog park. There you can view the meeting minutes, agendas, and progress made so far!
As far as money is concerned, this will be a non-profit venture. The town is NOT paying for the construction on the park. Most of the construction if not all, has already been volunteered.
I'm sure some people have had bad experiences with in a dog park, but when they happens you can make a complaint, have dogs/owners removed, and even have the place cleaned up or put on lock down if illness because an issue.
Going to Day Pond or walking the AirLine Trail poises just as many risks, as the dog park would. Vigilant guardians of their dogs should always supervise them and pick up after them, and of coourse not bring them around other animals in any public place if they are aware the dog may pass it on.
IMHO

[North Granby Resident]

I wouldn't waste the money.

We have a dog park and Granby and from what I have seen and heard it's not a good situation.

As a dog owner I think its a horrible situation to put your dog in. It may be okay if your dog has a good temper but there are always the ignorant owners with the aggressive dogs that won't recognize it, or the owner with the shy dog that criticizes everyone else's dogs for scaring their dog. Additionally, dogs are still animals and sometimes resort to their instincts rather than what they are trained to do. I have seen fights go down between dogs but really more often it's the dog owners that becomes the big problem. That is exactly why I do not bring my dog there.

Complaints can be made but nothing can really be done, especially if the person doesn't know who they are complaining about. I've heard a lot of residents complain about the Dog Park in Granby.

I think its just a bad situation to put your dog in for its own safety. I know a number of experienced dog breeders and trainers that agree. If you want to play with it, great, go find a field somewhere. Or play in your yard. If you want to play with other dogs, do it with your friends' dogs that you know or join a dog club.

[I like Dogs]

But this is a big waste of peoples money. When are you people going to get it and stop funding stupid idea's...