dogboston

This needs your help in getting this forums area back up and running. It looks almost abandoned as the last actual post was in 2007 (seems like so long ago)… The site webmaster and dog advocate J. Alain Ferry put it together because he wanted to help out. If you live in the Boston area, and want to get involved here is your chance.

From Alain (pronounced just like Alan):

Most cities have a dog owners group… Boston is lacking. Cambridge has one, as does Somerville. There’s a group in the South End focused on Peters Park. At some point, a Beacon Hill DOG was formed; apparently they were instrumental in getting designated off-leash hours on Boston Common. However I don’t know where or how to contact that group. In any event, there does not seem to be a Boston Dog Owners Group… until now.

Boston DOG - Boston Dog Owners Group

My name is Alain and I’m creating Boston DOG. I’m a Back Bay resident, dog owner and also a dog walker so I meet many dog owners all over Boston. It’s no secret that Boston lags far behind other cities regarding dog parks… and it’s unanimous amongst the dog owners I’ve met that this absolutely needs to change. Apart from Peters Park, the only other nearby option for downtown residents seeking an enclosed space for their dog is Phillips St. Park in Beacon Hill. Unfortunately, this park is not officially a dog recreation space and neighbor complaints have resulted in Animal Control officers occasionally issuing citations to dog owners for allowing their dog to roam off-leash. Beacon Hill residents have been very active in keeping the park clean and lobbying for its designation as a dog recreation space, however rumor has it that a lawsuit was filed against the city in opposition of conversion to a dog park.

So what else are we left with? While I haven’t actually visited there myself, I’ve heard that the Charlesgate Dog Park is in shambles. Of course, we have the designated off-leash hours in the Common but that offers little refuge for dogs that have a tendency of running away. So Peters Park is it… and forget about going there after a rainy day unless you’re prepared to hose down your dog after frolicking in the mud pits.

In 2005, City Councilor Mike Ross sponsored Boston’s dog park ordinance which was borne from his own task force to examine the issues. Now that the legislation is in place, Boston dog owners finally have an opportunity to get the space we want and need. It’s time to get some dog parks in this great city!

So to borrow a phrase which has been used by other dog owners groups…
Speak now or forever hold your leash!

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