The Board of Recreation and Parks voted last night to explore proposals to build Baltimore's first dog park, where people would be able to run their pooches off leash without facing a fine of up to $1,000.
About 120 people turned out for the meeting at Southern High School in Federal Hill and most favored the park, called a dog run. Several said they break city leash laws every day by allowing their dogs to run free on streets and in parks to give them exercise.
The few who opposed the dog run said green space should be reserved for people, not animals.
"There are so many pet owners in the city," said Marvin F. Billups Jr., director of recreation and parks. "Now we have to figure out what to do with them."
The city has an estimated 70,000 dogs, according to its Bureau of Animal Control, which supports the idea of a dog park.
Members of the nonprofit Responsible Dog Owners Group (R-Dog) have been lobbying the city to create off-leash parks and have submitted a proposal for creating the runs in gated swaths of existing parks.
They pledged to raise money to pay for construction costs.
"Dog parks solve everyone's problem," said Bonnie J. Crockett, vice president of R-Dog. "It gives dogs a place to exercise and prevents them from infringing on the rights of other people."
But some people, like Bonnie Cosner of South Baltimore, said children need parkland more than dogs do.
"I'm concerned about the city taking green space so dogs can run without a leash," Cosner said. "If you want your dog to run without a leash, take him to the county. Kids need the green space."
Billups, who supports the dog park idea, said his department would help maintain the parks, but has no money budgeted to build them. The estimated cost is $5,000 to $20,000 apiece, Crockett said.
R-Dog president Christina Sabin-Scharff said she would start setting up meetings with neighborhoods to figure out which communities want dog parks.
Kim Stallwood, president of the Canton Community Association, said his neighborhood wants one, and has raised $600.
Under the proposal submitted by R-Dog, canines would not be allowed in the park unless supervised, licensed and spayed or neutered. Owners would have to clean up after their charges. Puppies younger than 4 months would not be allowed.
