Vicious Attack Dogs

My family and I enjoy walking in Allentown's many beautiful parks, and we are greatly looking forward to the new and fabulous "destination playground" at Cedar Beach, and the many other improvements that are planned for our parks.

Recently we've experienced a few scary incidents involving vicious dogs of the pit bull variety at the parks that were very frightening for our young son, and for us. Two dogs lunged at us for no apparent reason. We weren't injured but both incidents were too close for comfort. Both dogs that went after us were on leashes, but the leash was either held by a child who couldn't handle the dog, or by someone not really concerned about the length of the leash or the safety of other people visiting the park. We see dogs running leash-free at Trexler Park all the time where it is posted as a violation. So now we've been forced into carrying a nasty-looking stick when we walk in the parks, and not surprisingly, when dog owners see you coming w/ a big stick, oh my, they pay much closer attention to their lovable pooch's proximity to you, try it. 

Now don't get me wrong, we LOVE DOGS, especially Golden and Laborador Retrievers and Greyhounds. We think there should be a dog park in Allentown where dogs and their owners can play in a protected area, so dogless families can feel safe from lunging attack dogs and irresponsible pet owners who can quickly ruin a family's otherwise pleasant stroll in the park. A dog park would also cut back on some of the dog poop in our parks, which, let's be honest, not all dog owners give a crap about scooping up.

Allentown's bountiful park system has plenty of open space for an enclosed dog run, and a destination playground. I remember reading a post at the Allentown Good News blog about possible plans and citizen input regarding a dog park in Allentown, but I haven't heard anything about the progress of those plans. Anybody know? Judging by how many dogs we see in the parks, some people wielding 3-4 pups at a time, I would say there is a definite demand for a dog park. Dog parks help build social capital because they bring people together for a common cause.

But sorry, dog owners, we shouldn't have to trust you when you say your dog doesn't bite. Pit bulls were created and bred in England to kill. They have an in-bred propensity to attack, without warning. Pit bulls have been outlawed in Great Britain and banned from breeding in Ontario since 2005 where owners must muzzle them in public. See this informative website about laws, statistics, and info regarding dangerous and vicious dogs ...

> http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/danger.htm

Pit bulls and Rottweilers together commit 2/3 (65%) of the "serial" attacks on humans and more than 3/4 (79%) of the "rampage" attacks. (Source, Animal People)

Sorry Fido, but there are irresponsible dog owners, and we believe there should be stricter laws and regulations requiring the muzzling of certain dangerous breeds of dogs.

Public safety is more important than the rights of pet owners.