Boise Dogs Oppressed

Some Dog Owners Are Good and Lazy. They're Americans.

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:13:00 +0000

We went to a local park the other day with our dogs. We observed the evidence that a lot of owners aren't picking up after their dogs. They must know that's an offense subject to a fine, no matter when it occurs (during off-leash hours or not). Now we admit it's very difficult picking up after your dog during the times when your dog must be on-leash, but you have to make the effort, somehow. However, some dog owners are lazy as are Americans in general.

These dog owners eventually will ruin it for the rest of us, the conscientious ones who pick up after their dogs.

A lot of the evidence comes from small dogs. Although one cannot draw a firm conclusion, it does seem these owners must have a thought process that goes like, "Well, my itsy-bitsy Precious hardly does much worth picking up." Just tell that to my shoe, you lame brain.

Fee Trolling is Good Business

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Editor's Note: Busting dog owners is good business, just this week's harvest of those unfortunate souls who chose to fight the tickets in the "court of justice." The rest meekly pay their fines and taxes to TEAM DAVE and go quietly into the night.

What's interesting is that there are NO infractions for failing to pick up after your dog. Guess all dog owners are carrying bags and picking up. Yea right! Merry Christmas. Or maybe "dog at large" is the one-size fits all regulation to avoid scatalogical ordinances.

12/14/2011 8:30 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0042875 Infraction Benjamin Lea Hoekstra Prosecutor: Boise City Prosecutor- Generic, Charges: M807-13-03-06A Dog At Large In Park

12/14/2011 9:00 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0043097 Infraction Christopher B Harada Prosecutor: Meridian Prosecutor - Generic, Charges: M354-6-2-9(D) {I}{1} Dog at Large in Public Place (First Offense) M354-6-2-9(I) {I}{1} Failure to License Dog (First Offense)

12/14/2011 1:15 PM BC-Court Trial CR-IN-2011-0039339 Infraction Angela Campbell-russell Prosecutor: Meridian Prosecutor - Generic, Charges: M354-6-2-9(I) {I}{1} Failure to License Dog (First Offense) M354-6-2-9(D) {I}{1} Dog at Large in Public Place (First Offense)

12/15/2011 8:15 AM Jury Trial CR-MD-2011-0006566 Misdemeanor Karisha Danyell Martin Prosecutor: Meridian Prosecutor - Generic, - Defense Attorney: Koonce, Heidi K Charges: M354-6-2-9(F) Dog Attacking or Biting M354-6-2-9(D) {I}{1} Dog at Large in Public Place (First Offense)

12/20/2011 8:30 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0038115 Infraction Kerry E Riley Prosecutor: Boise City Prosecutor- Generic, Charges: M807-13-03-06A Dog At Large In Park

12/20/2011 9:00 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0041320 Infraction John K Koljesky Prosecutor: Meridian Prosecutor - Generic, Charges: M354-6-2-9(I) {I}{1} Failure to License Dog (First Offense)

12/20/2011 9:00 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0042466 Infraction Weston F Schuette Prosecutor: Boise City Prosecutor- Generic, Charges: M807-13-03-06A Dog At Large In Park M807-6-07-17D DOG WITHOUT A LICENSE

12/20/2011 9:00 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0042685 Infraction Nicole Desirah Mckinley Prosecutor: Boise City Prosecutor- Generic, Charges: M807-6-07-17D DOG WITHOUT A LICENSE M807-13-03-06A Dog At Large In Park

12/20/2011 9:30 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0042690 Infraction Amanda L Schroeder Prosecutor: Boise City Prosecutor- Generic, Charges: M807-13-03-06A Dog At Large In Park

12/20/2011 10:00 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0042042 Infraction Sara Cristler Charges: M807-6-07-17D DOG WITHOUT A LICENSE M807-6-07-17E DOG AT LARGE

12/20/2011 10:30 AM BC Court Trial Conference CR-IN-2011-0042884 Infraction David S Mcdonald Prosecutor: Boise City Prosecutor- Generic, Charges: M807-13-03-06A Dog At Large In Park

12/20/2011 3:15 PM BC-Court Trial CR-IN-2011-0040150 Infraction Kaehl W Dale Prosecutor: Boise City Prosecutor- Generic, Charges: M807-6-07-17E DOG AT LARGE M807-6-07-17D DOG WITHOUT A LICENSE

Seattle Citizens Have Input, Unlike Boise

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:18:00 +0000

Editor's Note: What is interesting about this news story is that organized citizens in Seattle have REAL input with the parks administrators, unlike Boise. They discuss and compromise. Here, the "commissioners" throw a lot of meetings and non-sensical rules at citizens, then troll for fees. They are proud of the pathetic patches of dirt they call "dog parks." Our taxes at work.

Click link to read.

Calling All Dogs: Occupy Beacon Hill Dog Park

In Seattle, a city with more dogs than children, parks officials play the role of mediator between dog owners and everyone else who wants to play in the city’s green spaces.

Idaho Advocate writes...

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:22:00 +0000

How can I post my story here?
Is this just for pro loose dog people?
What if I am a dog owner against loose dogs, do I not have a voice on your website?
Do you only post things that you think help your side?

You clearly don't want anybody to talk to you, you don't even have a way to contact you. Are you that scared of what people might say to you?
contact me at idahoadvocate@gmail.com
I wan tto know how your thought process works. I will not be disrespectful, just to the point. If you won't do that much than I will know where you stand on my opinions.
I'll keep attempting to post here though. Not that you'll probably let most of them through.

December 3, 2011 8:09 PM

We Get Comments

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:33:00 +0000

This is a reader's response in answer to the Baggley Park incident.

IdahoAdvocate said...: Is nowhere safe? I am oppressed too, but by people like this! I can't go to a park with my dog without having to deal with someones dog running loose and invading our space. I don't understand the outrage here. Someone repeatedly has their dog loose in a park that my taxes pay for and they are upset that they keep getting caught? It sounds like she couldn't even see what was going on with her dog in the park. How is that acceptable? My neighbor has a horse, would it be okay if he let his horse run loose in the park? Rainy is friendly and great with kids, maybe we'll start doing that and see how much of an uproar the loose dog owners are going to make. BTW it is also illegal to let your dog chase/harass wildlife (aka squirrels)

Finally. Winstead!

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:25:00 +0000

DOG OFF-LEASH HOURS EXPANDED AT WINSTEAD PARK FOR PILOT OFF-LEASH PROGRAM

Mornings have been extended for a dog off-leash pilot program at Winstead Park, 6150 Northview St. Effective Dec. 1, Winstead off-leash hours are:

Evening hours:
November 1 - February 1; 3 p.m - Sunset
Morning hours:

September 1 - May 31; sunrise to 10 a.m.
June 1 - August 31; sunrise to 8 a.m.
This is a change from the hours previously approved by the Boise Parks & Recreation Commission in April, with morning hours being extended to sunrise-10 a.m., Sept. 1-May 31, to provide more daylight hours for dog owners to exercise their pets.

The signs in the park referencing the pilot program have been updated to reflect the change. Owners are required to pick up after their pets.

Animal control officers and Boise Parks & Recreation staff will closely monitor compliance with the rules and evaluate seasonal park use patterns.

The Boise Parks & Recreation is currently gathering feedback from neighbors about the 1-year program. Results will be compiled by April 1 for review by the Boise Parks & Recreation Commission.

The Thugs Strike Again

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:34:00 +0000

This message was left by Anonymous. When I ponder whether if the word "Oppressed" is too strong in the title of this blog, this reader reminds me of the anger dog owners feel in this city.

Once again, this is not about public safety issues and these "officers" are glorified fee collectors. In the past three years citizens have learned to feel panic when these thugs lie in wait with their ticket pads.

Going to court is probably the only recourse now.

" I live on Baggley Park and received a ticket for two dogs I was throwing balls for right next to my house on the park--no one else was in the park. This cost me $50 last year and the officer was rude and unrelenting, threatening me that she could also cite me for the dogs not being licensed. Thank goodness they were!

This weekend on Saturday, I was with my grandson in my front yard throwing the ball for my dogs. My golden doodle (a real dangerous breed) saw a squirrel run into the park and chased it up a tree. Just then a male dog patrol officer was walking across the park, took out his iPhone and took a picture of my dog, who immediately returned to my front yard as I was calling him in a panic...My dog was in the park for maybe one or two minutes (as my neighbor says and is willing to testify to this). The officer came into my driveway and said that he knew it was my dog as I have been ticketed before! I explained that I did not intentionally take my dog into the park without a leash because of a squirrel.
He said the law says no dogs off leash in the park and took out his pad and gave me a $76 ticket. He asked if our dogs were licensed or he would increase the fee for that as well. My husband came out of the house and was very angry and read off the dog's city license number. The officer gave me the ticket and left. I asked him at what point will I have to go to jail? He said that is entirely up to the prosecutor who will decide if I am going to offend again!

I took my dogs to the Reserve where they got muddy, sandy and full of stickers. I have paid out over $2,000 in vet fees due to stickers getting in my dogs feet while they played at Reserve and Hulls Gulch in the past. These areas are hardly fit for dogs to romp! While at Reserve Park on Monday, Nov. 28, a police officer was sitting in the parking lot watching myself and others in the park--for a long time. When I left, he had moved to the end of the parking lot behind a hill, probably hoping to catch a dog owner who has his or her dog off leash beyond the 30 allowable feet!

Meanwhile, during this same timeframe, my son's neighbor had her home robbed of all valuables including her car and a few days earlier 20 cars had tires slashed in the North End where my daughter lives.

While it states on the City's website that these officers are helping to keep parks safe for Boise citizens, I differ with that statement and know that they are seeking easy money for state coffers from law abiding citizens who are out exercising themselves and their dogs!

Why don't we put these dog patrol officers on neighborhood beats instead, where they can really protect Boise citizens! "

Another Futile Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:43:00 +0000

The Parks Commissioners discussed Winstead Park again Item C (supposedly) on November 17. Of course, they don't advertise the item to the 60 or so citizens who have attended the meetings previously to voice opinions on the matter. At the October meeting a citizen proposal to conform Winstead off-leash hours with hours at other parks for off-leash dogs was denied. Of course. The reason? "We need to keep everything the same."

Can't argue with that logic.

Agenda
IV. Actions/Presentations
A. Wake Island Memorial
B. Julia Davis Park Beer/Wine rules for the new Agriculture Pavilion
C. Winstead Park DOLA Review
D. Royal Boulevard Apartments (Formerly Known As Boise Terminal Apartments) Boise
System River Permit
E. Smoke‐Free Proposals For Boise City Municipal Golf Courses
F. Esther Simplot Park Master Plan
G. Executive Session: 1) Pursuant to Idaho Code § 67‐2345 (1) (c).

Another Meeting, Another Proposal Shot Down

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:34:00 +0000

At the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Winstead Dog Owners presented another proposal to extend dog hours for off-leash use in the park.

The proposal pointed out that the current morning hours of sunrise to 8 a.m. allowed very little, if any time, legally for dogs to be off-leash.

The proposal called for morning hours to be the same as it is with the other six parks designated for off-'leash use, namely sunrise to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to sunset.

After minimal discussion, the commissioners rejected the proposal, as expected. However one commissioner, Tom Chandler, did express some sympathy for the plight of the Winstead dog owners who have been forced out of their neighborhood park.

It's been two and half years that we have fought to regain use of our park, the fight goes on.

This won't turn out well

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:27:00 +0000

From the Mayor's Hotline as reported by the Guardian.
8/18/11
Shane Lowe
N 28th Street
Boise, ID 83703
ISSUE: He feels that he got cited for having his dog in a park, on leash but not attached to something, on a minor technicality. Signs say nothing about dog being attached to something.

How Boise Stalks Dog Owners

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Another tale of outrage. A dog owner who lives adjoining Castle Hills Park likes to step outside his back gate and throw a ball for his dog.

This park has an odd-shaped triangular area designated for dogs off leash. It's small and right next to a parking lot, of course.

This owner stepped out of his backyard with his dog into an area that isn't designated off-leash. The Dog Nazi pounced on him. They like to park their vehicle in the parking lot and just wait, patiently. It was this man's THIRD ticket.

These city thugs entrap unsuspecting dog owners, even if they are alone in the park. It's a mean-spirited exercise in collecting rev-eh-noo you see. This blight on Boise is an embarrassment.

Shame on Boise. When you entrap someone, this is not about public safety.

We Will Track You Down

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:29:00 +0000

Little Dog Gets Busted

This little dog (and owner) were tracked down and busted outside of Winstead Park by the Dog Nazis who now sport a shiny bicycle (thanks taxpayers). The White Van of Doom rolled up to the park, and out popped the bicyclist lawman (ala Pinkerton man Joe LeFors in the Butch Cassidy movie). The chase resulted in nabbing this ferocious beast's owner. Evidently, the dog was off-leash in the park at some point. Was anybody else in the park? Doesn't matter.

According to the eyewitness (who took the pictures), the Nazis then got back in the van and off they went, to search for more citizen victims, no doubt.

Make no mistake, this is not about public safety and protecting park users from unruly dogs. This is a blatant grab for dollars to go into the city coffers. None of this tribute collected benefits dogs or owners in any way.

Rearranging the Chairs

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Harvey Neef is now the head poobah of the Parks and Rec Commission. The chairs have been rearranged but the beat goes on. Michael Cunningham is now in line to become the next president. Fasten the seatbelts. Now we'll get those dog owners whipped into compliance. Oohrah!!

And the Beat Goes On (cops on our most vital beat)

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:06:00 +0000

So many times, the same old story, people alone with docile dogs, just trying to get a few minutes exercise. This is not a public safety issue. How many times are people given a ticket when they (and their dog) are the only ones in the park?

5/25/11
Bill Erickson
Leadville Ave.
Boise, ID 83706
He lives near Ivywild Park and has received a couple of citations for letting his Golden Retriever exercise for 10 minutes. He got his ticket in the morning when nobody else was around. The officer recommended that he take his dog to Manitou Park instead, which won’t work for him. He would like to see the off-leash hours extended in all the parks. He complained that the cops should not be wasting their time writing dog tickets in the parks.
(referred to the) DFA (Department of Finance and Administration)

as reported in the Mayor's Hotline, Boise Guardian

This is sad

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:43:00 +0000

I went to my "neighborhood" park the other day. It was a holiday. There were no dogs there, only people, playing organized soccer. They didn't speak English. None of them. Not even the little toddlers two or three years old. What country is this? Where did they come from? How much did they pay the city just to play soccer? The parking lot was a dressing room for a strip down and change of clothes. Sweet. Some people think standing behind a car door affords you privacy, not so. Spare me the sight of your gnarly tattooed body.

Dog owners are not allowed in the park after 8 a.m. with off-leash animals. A Parks Commissioner claims it is to protect the children walking to a nearby school. This was a holiday but it could have been a weekend or one of the numerous "in-service" days with no children walking to school. So maybe we're just protecting foreign-speaking future soccer players from these rabid dogs?

One thing for sure, this park is not for everyone to share.

New Shiny Sign

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Well, here it is. The rules to have your dog off-leash at Winstead Park.

WINSTEAD PARK Got Shafted

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:06:00 +0000

"Off'-leash dogs will be permitted in Winstead Park from sunrise to 8 am 365 days a year." BPandR Commission vote, March 17, 2011

Sunrise at Winstead today was 7:50 am. Dogs off-leash will be permitted from sunrise to 8 am. Do the math. If you're a law-abiding citizen (and we dog lovers all are, right?) you would have had 10 minutes to play with your dog off-leash.

Of course this is next year's hypothetical schedule since the pilot program doesn't commence until April 11, and can be canceled at any time.

We tried to tell the BPandR commissioners that it should be DAYLIGHT, not sunrise as a measure. But of course they didn't listen.

But it gets worse, much worse.

On some days sunrise occurs AFTER 8 am, so there are no morning off-leash hours permitted. The fact is, despite what was reported and claimed, Winstead does not have year-around morning hours.

We are unsure whether this was the intent of the commissioner who proposed this or not. Another commissioner said "it would be a shame" if the Winstead group received nothing from this pilot program.

Morning Off-Leash Permitted Sunrise to 8 am
                       Playtime Off-Leash
                      More than 30 min.      Less than 30     Less than 15    No Time
April 11-30                  20
May 2011                    31
June                             30
July                              31
August                         31
September                   19    11

October 2 13 16

November 2 12 11 5

                                   Note: hours shift because clocks change backward 1 hour
December                                                                                               31*
                                 *Two days-- have two minutes and one minute
January 2012                                                                                          31
February    5    10    11 3
March    12    8    8 3
                                 Note: hours shift because clocks change
April 1-10                  10

For 89 days of the years NO DOGS will be allowed off-leash in Winstead in the morning.

For 175 days of the year, off-leash dogs will have LESS than 30 minutes or no playtime in the morning. Half a Year!!
For nine months, there will be NO afternoon or evening hours.

So, we don't know what to make of that commissioner's "it would be a shame" statement. Maybe it's like you get a crust of bread when you're starving but you watch the soccer players eat the whole loaf. Unlimited bread, all the time. And the volunteer commissioner pats herself on the back for a job well done.

No Off-Leash Dogs in Winstead Park! Almost.

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:43:00 +0000

No Playing!

The autocratic Boise parks commissioners have voted. At their March 17 meeting they ruled that off-leash dogs will be severely restricted in Winstead Park. Dogs will NOT be allowed off-leash after 8 am for nine months of the year. For three winter months November-January they will be allowed from 3 pm until sunset, in addtion to the crack of dawn hours. Sunset is around 5 pm. Very generous of them.

They defeated a proposal for sunrise to 10 am from Parks staff and didn't even consider winter all-day off-leash from Nov. 1-Mar. 31 as their staff originally proposed Feb. 2. The enmity and apathy of some commissioners toward dog owners was palpable. The lack of dog supporters on the commission was rife. The liaison city council members were no help. The local paper did no reporting.

Other parks fared slightly better. A few, like Castle Hills and Redwood, have more humanly decent hours of sunrise-10 am and 4 pm to sunset year-round, although Castle is limited to about 30% of its area, about two acres (still larger than the "dog parks.")

But the commissioners reserved most of their disdain for the Winstead folks, a few of whom showed up at the meeting and proceeded to argue counter-intuitively why Winstead shouldn't be off-leash. One Negative Winstead resident still can't get over the fact that he was ticketed for no leash and takes every opportunity to berate the commissioners. Another Nattering Neighbor enumerated all the non-dog uses for Winstead, especially for the precious children who play pee-wee football?????. That cooked the goose pretty much, or screwed the pooch to be more accurate.

And gave Filibuster Tom the Commissioner his opening. It makes no difference to him that the park is virtually empty all winter. His reasoning was comically mean-spirited. "We're trying to crowd too much use into Winstead. I have a hard time looking at Winstead as a candidate for off-leash." Of course he failed to identify all this winter usage.

The commissioners see no way that dogs can co-exist with people, especially the little kind. One commissioner said the dear children walk through the park to school, without substantiation, but then it was pointed out that in the winter, the children don't walk at all. No matter, this was a rigged deal. So Winstead residents lost any chance to be out in the park during decent hours at any time of the year.

If you work, and have a dog that needs exercise, tough. Hope you can afford gas for all the driving you will do.

After two years of effort, this is the result, even though 66% of survey respondents favored off-leash hours. The commissioners showed their disdain for dog owners. For the most part, dogs and owners have been sentenced to mindless walking with leash around a path. There is no way they can justify such bare minimum hours for off-leash in the dead of winter.

The Parks Department and the commissioners would really like to rid parks of all dogs, I believe. Sports and social gatherings bring in the money. The dog license fees go elsewhere. However, they're in a bind. They realize the "dog parks" they've provided are jokes -- poorly designed, poorly equipped, poorly utilized -- and there's just too many dogs in town. So their solution is to throw open a few "people" parks to very limited usage. The non-revenue parks get more hours, the revenue parks like Winstead and Sunset, get very few.

It's all about the money, and don't forget to pay for those dog licenses. It's the law.

Oh, by the way, we raised the fees on ya!

This is a pilot program, subject to cancellation (or further restrictions) at any time.

Dog Fees Went Up

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:47:00 +0000

Dog License Fees

Two Years Ago                                                  Now
Dog over 1 yr. old                $16                       $18.50
Dog over 1, nonneutered        41                         44
Senior citizen owner                 8                         10

Commissioners hear dog survey results

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:26:00 +0000

Another year, another survey. But this is the moment the anti-dog commissioners come face to face with the reality -- you can't just keep promising to build dog facilities, eh Tom?

Preliminary results showed 67% favored dogs in the parks. On the other hand, only 14% were dissatisfied with the job the Parks Department was doing with its dog policies. Of course, the tabulation is not transparent.

AGENDA PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
CITY OF BOISE
March 17, 2011 4:00 P.M.
Boise City Main LibraryAuditorium

I. Call to Order
II. Minutes
III. Consent Agenda
All items in the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the Commission and will be enacted by
one motion. There will be no discussion on these items unless requested by a Commission member or
citizen, in which case the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered in
normal sequence.
A. RecFest Request for Beer/Wine Sales for June 25, 2011 Event
B. West Boise Little League – Milwaukee Park
C. Chicago Connection Lease Agreement at Idaho IceWorld
D. Fee Collection Agreement – United States Specialty Sports Officials Association
(“USSSOA”)
E. Willow Lane Athletic Complex Concessions Lease Agreement
IV. Actions/Presentations
A. Boise System River Permit
B. General Pool Rules draft
C. Results from Dog Off Leash survey
D. Executive Session: 1) Pursuant to Idaho Code § 67‐2345 (1) (c). To conduct
deliberations to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a
public agency, and Idaho Code § 67‐2345 (1) (f). 2) To consider and advise
its legal representatives in pending litigation or where there is a general
public awareness of probable litigation.
V. Accomplishments, Goals and Challenges
A. Director
B. Administration Services
C. Recreation Services
D. Resource Services

Making Friends All Over Town

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Jerri Wood
Boise, ID 83702
ISSUE: Tried to pay ticket for pet citation at Ada County Courthouse, but it hadn’t been processed when she tried to pay it (within the 10 day timeframe). She went back later and has to pay $50 more. She does not appreciate this.
Referred to Department of Finance and Administration

We Will....

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:40:00 +0000

Stake You Out, Stalk You, Chase You, Hunt You Down, Come to your door.

This has all happened and even more bizarre...

A lady's dog died. She had received two off-leash dog tickets for her dog who could barely walk any longer. After the dog's passing, the lady still liked to walk in "her" park, as she had done for 26 years. The Dog Gestapo arrived and saw her across the field from the parking lot. They got out of the White Van of Doom and crossed the park to her. As she related, the dog enforcers believed she had a dog off-leash....somewhere. She turned and walked away.

This is Boise.

The Mission Statement

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Boise Parks & Recreation Mission

To enhance Boise's quality of life by working in partnership with the community to foster and support citizen well being and healthy community environments.

------
So everybody jump in your cars and drive across town to a "dog park" and stand around. Go Green and Healthy.

A Boise Native Asks the City Wise Questions

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:52:00 +0000

I am outraged and appalled by what happened to you. I would like to think Boise is progressive, but this is down right embarrassing. I am embarrassed that we have police wasting their time and tax payer dollars on busting dog walkers while theft and more violent crimes are being committed. Why also does the city feel that spending time sitting in a park to ticket people for having their dog off leash (while the dog is getting in the car none the less) is more important than catching speeders in school zones? Should letting your dog off leash in an empty park even be considered a crime? Dog owners are continuing to be ticketed, yet where are the police with their ticket books when people litter in the parks or throw a burning cigarette butt out the window of their car? We dog owners are being harassed and I would like to know why? Boise Parks and Recreation commissioners tell us that we have to look at the “big picture”. Well, after eleven years don’t they get the big picture. Over 60,000 registered dog owners in Boise and we don’t have a say in how we run our parks? And just how big is this opposition? Who and where are they and how much money are they “contributing” to the commission to keep stalling this process and why?

To the person who received a ticket for not picking up their dog poop when they did indeed pick it up and intended on picking it up, this IS entrapment, according to the law. The police were lying in wait to get someone who didn’t intend on breaking the law.

I am a Boise native and have been a dog owner all my life. I am sickened by what is happing to all my fellow dog owners lately and am tired of feeling like a criminal in my own back yard. My dogs need exercise and to socialize. My younger dog needs to run, and I mean run. I can not provide her the exercise she needs while on her leash and I am not about to spend up to an hour a day in traffic, wasting gas to take my dogs to an overcrowded dog park the size of my house covered in wood chips when I can walk out my front door with my leashed dogs to the nearest park to let them run in that empty park for 10-15 minutes. The later scenario is more of a win-win situation for me and the City. My dogs and I get our exercise without harming or bothering anyone while having one less car on the road.

The City of Boise wants to be “green”. Adding off-leash hours and/or areas in parks would be a great addition to this cause. People could walk to the nearest park instead of driving to the foothills or closest nearly non-existent dog park. Better health for dog owners and the City. Fewer cars on the road is safer and equates to less traffic, less pollutants in the air, and less money to spend on gas for the struggling dog owner. If commissioners want the “big picture” they should consider this comment before hastily refusing to allow off-leash hours or off-leash areas in city parks.

A Reader's Sad Tale -- "Why is it so narly in Boise?"

noreply@blogger.com (ReidWolf) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:27:00 +0000

jazzy said...: I recived a dog at large ticket last year in november at camels back. I was leaving the park with my 2 childern then 4 year old and my 2 year old and my 4 month old schipperkey puppy. I put the doggie in the driver seat and opened the back passenger door for my 4 year old daughter. While I walked around the car to put the 2 year old in his car seat the puppy jumped out ran around the car to me sat down and then ran around to wher he first had jumped out to jump back in. My daughter just had shut the door. I walked to the driverside opened my door and said come on load up and he did. He never left the side of the car or was more that 6-8 feet away from me. As I got in the car to buckel my seat belt 2 bike cops ripped up very abruptly knocked on my car window. I opended it and they asked if I new the leash law. I said well no not really, Why? Just then they asked my for ID and started writing a ticket. I asked for what? They said for not having my dog on a leash. I was thunder struck. I asked what the laws were and I was told to not be snide. My dog had been in a leash till I put him in the car. 3 weeks later I went to the park again with a couple of girl friends. While we sat and talked The kids played. My 4 year old asked to run around with the same 4 month old puppy. I said fine but don't let him off his leash. a small group of kids all were running around playing what I call tag with the puppy. She zigged while he (the dog) zagged and she dropped the leash. She chased after him and picked it up. He was never more that 10 feet away from the group of kids and was not under direct control for more that 5 minuet's. Me sitting 20 or so feet away on a park bench watching with my girl friends. Two bike cops come up again and asked the same question. Do you know the leash laws? I said My dog is on the leash, were in a park? what is the problem? I was told to drop the aptitude. I didn't have an attitude I was shocked that I was getting hassled about the dog again! They didn't care. The dog weighed 5-7 lbs at the time it's a puppy! They are little children playing with a little puppy! I started to cry. I take my kids to the park in dead winter for 30 minuets of free fun and it's now is going to coast me dearly. How was I going to tell my sole bread winner I just received another dog ticket. I was in big trouble. Till I went to court! Them my husband met 20 other people like me. One guy told us we was walking his dog the dog pooped he took the dog "left the poop" to go get a poop bag and came right back to clean it up. While picking up the poop bike cops swooped in and gave him a ticket for leaving the poop. I could go on and on with stories. Why is it so narly in Boise? It's to bad. We should be an open minded community. Big city with a small town feel. What the city is turning into in a urban sprawling waste land of money grubbing pin heads. To bad shame shame on you. Get your heads strait. This is not the Idaho I know.; February 16, 2011 3:09 PM