Dog Park

As of July 1, dog owners who bring their pets to the city's dog park will be required to purchase an annual membership. The dog park, named the Dr. Bruce Morley Dog Playground, was opened in 2008 adjacent to the city's Leo. E. Wilson Park, just east of Van Dusen Road between Route 198 and Cherry Lane. Memberships are $30 for residents of the city, and $35 for non-residents, and can be purchased at the Laurel Municipal Center, Robert J. DiPietro Community Center and the Laurel Armory Community Center.

Dogs love dog parks but the fenced in public spaces have a way of bringing out the worst in some people. Leave it to the folks behind the hit television show "Portlandia" to skewer dog park culture. In the new season of the sketch-style comedy that airs on IFC and stars Fred Armisen of"Saturday Night Live" and Carrie Brownstein, there's a recurring bit about a couple that takes their dog to a dog park. To say that Dave and Kath are anxious, anthropomorphic and utterly unfamilar with dogs is putting it mildly.

The Anne Arundel County's state's attorney said through a spokeswoman that a decision on whether to charge an off-duty federal police officer in the fatal shooting of a dog at a dog park probably would not be made before Monday. State's Attorney Frank R. Weathersbee said this week that the case remains under investigation by two prosecutors who were working with county police. Police said Tuesday that they had turned their information over to prosecutors. Last Monday, the off-duty officer, whom police have refused to name, shot a dog at the private dog park in the Quail Run community.

To the Editor: I don't understand what people have against the Humane Society, and what they do for the discarded animals that nobody wanted. What would they like folks to do for them other than try to find them good homes? This is in regard to the article in Wednesday Jan. 4, and the Rebels dog park. People from all over come go use this park because it's safe. It's grass, not dirt and mud. It is fenced, and everyone seems to have a great time...owners and dogs. There aren't many places folks can take their dogs that is basically worry free.

Dogs love dog parks but the fenced in public spaces have a way of bringing out the worst in some people. Leave it to the folks behind the hit television show "Portlandia" to skewer dog park culture. In the new season of the sketch-style comedy that airs on IFC and stars Fred Armisen of"Saturday Night Live" and Carrie Brownstein, there's a recurring bit about a couple that takes their dog to a dog park. To say that Dave and Kath are anxious, anthropomorphic and utterly unfamilar with dogs is putting it mildly.

Anne Arundel County prosecutors said Wednesday morning that they are filing charges against a man who fatally shot Bear-Bear, a Siberian husky, at a Severn dog park about two weeks ago. The misdemeanor charges against Keith Shepherd, 32, of Severn, a civilian police officer for the Army in Northern Virginia, are animal cruelty and discharging a firearm within 100 yards of an occupied home, according to a statement by prosecutors. The brother of Rachel Rettaliata, who owned Bear-Bear with her husband Ryan, took the couple's husky to the Quail Run community dog park on the evening of Aug. 2. Shepherd and his wife Wendy brought their dog, Asia, a German shepherd.

Federal police officer Keith Elgin Shepherd was fined and given probation before judgment Friday for shooting a Siberian husky he claimed attacked his pet and was threatening him and his wife at a community dog park in Severn in August. "We are overjoyed that it's gotten this far," Rachel Rettaliata told Anne Arundel County District Judge Thomas J. Pryal. She and her husband, Ryan Rettaliata owned Bear-Bear, the dog shot in the Quail Run community dog park and injured so severely that it had to be euthanized.

As a group of 20 people demonstrated Monday outside the Anne Arundel County courthouse in Annapolis supporting of the owners of a dog fatally shot Aug. 2 in a Severn park, county prosecutors said it may take another week or more for them to finish their investigation and decide whether to charge the shooter. The delay in reaching that decision is because of the complexity of the issues, said Kristin Fleckenstein, spokeswoman for the county state's attorney's office, who said prosecutors have no estimated date for the decision.

The owner of a Siberian husky that was shot in a Severn dog park two weeks ago said she is pleased that charges have been filed — even if weeks later — against the man who shot Bear-Bear, adding that she hopes that laws might be changed in the wake of her pet's death. "It will be really beautiful if out of all of this, animal cruelty penalties increased because of Bear-Bear," Rachel Rettaliata said. "Maybe we could push for a law in [his] memory. " Charges were filed Wednesday in District Court in Annapolis against Keith Elgin Shepherd, 32, a civilian police officer for the Army in Northern Virginia.

The owners of the Siberian husky shot to death by an off-duty federal police officer last week at a Severn dog park have retained an Annapolis attorney to explore a possible lawsuit. Charlotte Weinstein, hired last week by Rachel and Ryan Keegan Rettaliata, is looking into negligence by the officer in the Aug. 2 shooting of the dog, named Bear-Bear. "We're just conducting our investigation and making sure that county police did what they were supposed to do from the very beginning, and determining whether the gentleman had the authority to carry a gun," Weinstein said.

The Humane Society of Harford County had been an embattled organization for a number of years. The private, not-for-profit organization that manages the de facto county animal shelter has at times been at odds with factions of volunteers as well as with the county government. The organization's relationship with the county is critical and mutually beneficial as the county provides substantial funding for the shelter, but doesn't have to pay a lot more to maintain a full-fledged municipal pound.

When I first started going to Robert E. Lee Park ("Park back, with rules for dogs," Oct. 13) eight years ago, I would take a bucket to carry out the broken glass, used condoms, hypodermic needles, liquor bottles, plastic bags and cans. I carried out at least two pounds, sometimes up to 10 pounds every day. Lately I just take broken glass and cans out of the water itself. This horrible stuff wasn't brought in by dog people, who have been demonized all over Baltimore. Responsible dog owners use the park day in and day out, snow, rain and sunshine, dawn to nightfall; picnickers don't do that.

Dogs have run free - amok, some would say - in Robert E. Lee Park for years. Residents complained that the park had been "hijacked" by dog people. Even Baltimore County's parks director knew folks referred to the wooded lakeside retreat as "Dog Poop Park. " The spot, hovering on the city/county line, had become the area's favorite dog park - never mind that it wasn't one. But that's all about to change. After a $6.1 million renovation and a two-year closure, Robert E. Lee will reopen Friday, boasting all sorts of refinements - the centerpiece being a legal, fenced dog run that people will have to pay to use. Additionally, the park will become the county's first to hire a small corps of rangers charged with ticketing people whose dogs are caught off leash outside the dog run. Baltimore County Recreation and Parks Director Barry F. Williams hopes the changes will lure non-dog-lovers back to the park, while allowing those with pets to keep using it - but in a legal and controlled way. "The parks are for all people - no one group has exclusive rights over this area," Williams says.

UPDATE : (Sept. 30) This event, previously scheduled for this summer during one of those monsoon days has been rescheduled for this Sunday, October 2nd from 10 to 4 p.m. Canton is one of the lucky Baltimore neighborhoods to boast a real, live LEGAL dog park. But this weekend, just for one day, the park is going to grow exponentially. We're talking huge -- and grassy. On Sunday, the Sen. Joseph Bonvegna Field, which is right next to the real Canton Dog Park , at the corner of South Clinton and Toone streets, will become a big 'ole off-leash dog run. There's really no spot in Baltimore City where dogs can run on grass without a chance of their owners getting a hefty fine.

Downtown Baltimore's only legit dog space is re-opening! And it's a safe bet that most folks didn't even know that it was closed.... or even existed. But this week, it's a chance for downtown dog folks to get re-aquainted (or, aquainted) with the Liberty Park Dog Walk, which people can find at the convergence of Park Avenue, West Fayette and West Baltimore streets. There'll be a Yappy Hour in the mini-park on Thursday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m. It's free, sponsored by Downtown Partnership and the 39 W. Lexington residences.

Perry Hall has it all, except for a dog park! A growing number of people happen to feel this way as evidenced by the relatively new Facebook group, Perry Hall Dog Park. Since its establishment in April by Tammy Zaluzney , the group has taken off. As of this writing, the one hundred plus like-minded members are focused on making the "Perry Hall Dog Park" a reality. Supporters include Councilman David Marks , Del. Eric Bromwell and the Perry Hall Improvement Association executive board.

Anne Arundel County police, facing public criticism, announced Wednesday that there will be a full investigation into the killing of a Siberian husky in a Severn dog park by an off-duty federal police officer. When news of Bear-Bear's death first became public, a police spokesperson said that the matter was closed and that investigators found no evidence of criminal activity. The county's top cop called the matter "a priority" Wednesday, and County Executive John R. Leopold says he was "outraged" and "deeply troubled" to learn about the shooting.

The off-duty federal police officer who fatally shot a Siberian husky in a Severn dog park has been placed on administrative leave while county police investigate the incident, but through his lawyer maintains that he fired his gun in defense of his pet, his wife and himself. Citing their investigation, Anne Arundel County police still have not named the officer, who they said fired his personal weapon in the shooting Monday of Bear-Bear, a brown-and-white husky who died a few hours later.

As of July 1, dog owners who bring their pets to the city's dog park will be required to purchase an annual membership. The dog park, named the Dr. Bruce Morley Dog Playground, was opened in 2008 adjacent to the city's Leo. E. Wilson Park, just east of Van Dusen Road between Route 198 and Cherry Lane. Memberships are $30 for residents of the city, and $35 for non-residents, and can be purchased at the Laurel Municipal Center, Robert J. DiPietro Community Center and the Laurel Armory Community Center.