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Robert's Randoms
Robert J. Taylor

City Council: Mountain Home needs a dog park

Posted Sunday, May 11, 2014, at 7:53 PM
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    Robert:

    Very good blog. Won't be at the meeting tomorrow night but count me as a huge dog park supporter.

    Thanks,

    Tim Bondy

    -- Posted by bondyweb on Sun, May 11, 2014, at 9:57 PM
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    I will ask how is the dog park to be funded and where will the funds come from for the maintenance and upkeep of it? Not to mention the increase in insurance for the city? Those are the questions that came up last time and were never answered. I am not for nor against a dog park but am just pointing out issues that need addressed and no I do not have the answers.

    -- Posted by B Mullen on Mon, May 12, 2014, at 10:17 AM
  • How is any park funded or any maintenance funded? Same way it always has been....people who don't have children pay for parks they don't use...this will be the same. I think its a great move for MH to have a Dog Park....they have them all over Boise and the one on Base is pretty great too. I know the majority of us dog lovers clean up after our dogs and will leave the park they way we found it. I hope they go ahead and do it.

    -- Posted by mhg4316 on Tue, May 13, 2014, at 10:24 AM
  • I wouldn't use a dog park. They're dangerous. Too many dogs who are unfamiliar with each other running loose. People bring small children there. A dog park is not a good place for a small child. Too many dogs are not properly socialized. Too many people will not clean up after their dogs.....look at the greenbelt, and bags and trash are provided. I hope the city gets one because so many people want it, but get ready for the complaints and doggy related problems.

    -- Posted by goatbeard on Tue, May 13, 2014, at 10:25 AM
  • There is no way I would take any of my little dogs to a dog park. Good chance they will be attacked by other dogs. There are many in this town who are not responsible dog owners. Just walking around my neighborhood I have to watch my step or I will step in the poo. I live out in the county and people let their big dogs out in the mornings so they can run around loose. My next door neighbor had a little Jack Russell terrier killed by a big dog that came running down the street. The little dog was in his own yard and the neighbor was out in his yard with the dog and before he could do anything to save his dog, his dog was killed.

    Dog Park bad Idea!

    -- Posted by MsMarylin on Tue, May 13, 2014, at 11:17 AM
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    MHG,

    Parks without a fence are one thing but a dog park should have a fence. That is one of the costs I was speaking of not to mention the extra costs for mowing the grass and watering the park if a new area is used. As for the one on base, I have been there a few times with my dogs and stopped going because of the amount of poop left behind. I seem to remember some users getting a group together to police the park once. They spent a good part of the day cleaning up the park. And the park on base used to be a baseball or softball field but was converted due to a lack of use. Speaking of use, the most I have seen there at one time is about 10 animals but most of the time the park is empty. How do I know, I work close by and walk by it several times a day.

    -- Posted by B Mullen on Tue, May 13, 2014, at 5:45 PM
  • NO NO NO! That's such a problem around here. Older people who don't want to support anything and do nothing but complain. I have taken my dogs to several dog parks around Boise, Meridian, and the one on Base several times. Never have I once seen a fight between any dogs. You don't want to take your little dogs to a dog park to play then DONT...I hope the younger active families with dogs come to the park and burn off some energy and enjoy seeing their dogs play and socialize....This town needs to get with the program and follow suite with every other town in America and provide us with a dog park. I'm a homeowner and pay taxes. Id rather see it go towards something like this rather than like the school boards pockets....but like all good things around here it will probably not happen. Again.

    -- Posted by mhg4316 on Wed, May 14, 2014, at 8:19 AM
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    Hey All:

    I have no intention is getting into an argument about this or any other subject but it's good to find out what people think about the future dog park.

    My hope is we all will contact our City Council and let them know our concerns, wishes and ideas. They are the people who will make the decision and not this newspaper.

    Thanks,

    The Bondyweb

    -- Posted by bondyweb on Wed, May 14, 2014, at 8:56 AM
  • I agree with Ms M small dogs are like toys to bigger dogs and your not going to be fast enough to stop a pit or lab from picking your small dog up and crushing it. It has happened with my neighbor and $400 vet bill for rib issues. So no dog park for my small dog.

    My main concern is that once they have the dog park they will close all the other parks to dogs. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN

    -- Posted by gmoney on Wed, May 14, 2014, at 10:57 AM
  • I have never been attacked or bitten by a big dog. Only the small ones. A lab crushing another dog? Ya...those labs are notorious for killing other dogs. And of course you have to throw the pit bull in there too. You see Roberts picture up there? He's a pit...sweetest dog alive. And no parks have closed as the others have been opened around here...drama much?!?!

    -- Posted by mhg4316 on Wed, May 14, 2014, at 11:22 AM
  • MHG........older people.......you mean experienced people, people who have seen things you may not have. People who have seen things happen, even if not to themselves? Like I said, I hope the city gets the dog park because residents would like to have it. In the same respect, GMONEY also has a point. We use the parks for training etc. And we carry and use doggy bags. Don't want to lose that benefit. Read the Base Dog Park blog. Even though you have not personally witnessed any incidents, there have been several, some requiring vet services and stitches. I still say, I will not use them because people are not too well informed on dog behavior and accidents happen.......all to often. Although I am not an advocate.....if the people want this, they should have it. Just be very aware and very careful.

    -- Posted by goatbeard on Thu, May 15, 2014, at 8:29 AM
  • I don't know about drama, but I do know that a lot of times when the government gives you something with one hand they will try to take something away with the other hand. I believe there are some on the city council who think this way.

    And if you don't believe large dogs treat small unfamiliar dogs as a toy then you have not been around very long.

    -- Posted by gmoney on Thu, May 15, 2014, at 11:18 AM
  • I would like to add that all dogs are animals but it is a fact that big dogs can do more damage then little dogs.

    When I was 10 years old I was walking our Family's Cocker Spaniel and as I was passing a yard with a black lab chained up, the lab broke the chain and grabbed my dog up shaking him by his neck like a rag. A neighbor lady heard all the ruckus and dumped a pan of water on the lab, which resulted in him dropping my dog. Back in those days, most family's only had one car, and we were lucky my Mom had the car that day as she rushed him to the vet and the vet was able to save him which required a lot of stitches to his neck.

    More recent, as I have mentioned before, my neighbors dog was killed in his yard by a big dog who came running down the street.

    We have desert all around us, isn't that where big dog owners take their dogs for a run?

    -- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, May 16, 2014, at 10:46 AM
  • I would love to see a dog park here in MH-I am really tired of people taking their furkids to the little park behind us, and letting their dogs loose to poo everywhere! The city even installed poo bags and a trash can, but irresponsible, lazy dog owners don't even bother. What are we as homeowners that use that park for our kids and grandkids supposed to do? I would LOVE to drive around the block and confront these people (which would create a whole different problem) but I have not. This brings us to the issue of for or against the dog park. I am hoping that a solution can be created for this much needed park.

    -- Posted by Military Mom on Fri, May 16, 2014, at 11:51 AM
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    Military Mom,

    Well said. As a resonsible owner, I ensure I carry a bag or two when walking our dogs on the streets. It is great that the city ahs put out bags and a shame many owners do not use them or provide one. You are correct to confront some of the idiots that are not responsible would cause more issues.

    -- Posted by B Mullen on Fri, May 16, 2014, at 1:55 PM
  • I am in favor of a dog park, it would be great for the people of Mtn Home. I have a dog who loves to run, but where she likes to run is away.... If there were a fenced area that she could run off leash, it would make us both very happy. Although I'm sure there would sometimes be incidents, I also think it would be a great place for dogs to learn to socialize with other dogs and with other humans as well. The Park and Rec dept. could even hold their obedience classes there.

    -- Posted by DANSHL on Sun, May 18, 2014, at 7:23 PM
  • I believe a dog park would be a great benefit for the town. I have a very active dog that needs space to run and doesn't get burn off the energy being on a leash. There are lost of open spaces that are already being maintained and under used. One area is across from Legacy Park and adjoins the walking path with parking. I have talked with several dog owners and most have agreed the a dog park would allow for them to socialize their dogs. I have been to a few and one of the best one I have seen have a separate area for little dogs, water and trash cans with bags. People volunteer to help police the area and are not shy about telling others to pick up after their pets or telling someone to control their animals. I won't be able to make the meeting, since I work nights, but please let the council know if you support this effort.

    -- Posted by MHdog-gone on Mon, May 19, 2014, at 8:48 AM
  • If I'm not mistaken, the only park in Mtn Home that is posted no dogs Is Richard Agurrie, by the swimming pool, the others are posted to use leash and clean up after them. Most people do but there are always those who leave the mess for someone else to deal with.

    -- Posted by goatbeard on Wed, May 21, 2014, at 4:06 PM
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