I am writing in support of the continuation of the “Paws in the Park” program. I and my golden retriever Cooper were proud participants in Belmont’s original “Goosebuster” program and a subsequent program that allowed dogs tested by the town’s animal control officer to run off lead at Pequossette Park and later at the three other town fields.
Cooper and I trained at Pequossette and Town Field for American Kennel Club performance tests, but also joined a group of other owners at Town Field each morning, where our dogs worked out their own playgroups. Owners were, in my experience, extremely conscientious about waste pickup, and there were few, if any, instances of digging that I can recall. Cooper looked forward to his morning playtime with his best pals, who were an unlikely pair of a Bernese mountain dog puppy (who eventually outgrew poor Cooper ) and a tiny French bulldog.
Now dogless, I stop at Town Field from time to time to watch the current generation of dogs enjoy their play. One group of owners appears to be doing formal obedience training. These are responsible owners who are helping their dogs to become better canine citizens, and we should soundly applaud and support them. Regular off-leash exercise makes for healthier, happier, and more social dogs.
As the late Andy Rooney is credited with saying, “Dogs are better people than most people.”
I hope that the Town opts to keep the “Paws in the Park” program intact.
Robert McKie, Drew Road