<![CDATA[Lutz Dog Park (aka Carolyn Meeker Park) - Lutz Dog Park News]]>Sun, 28 Jun 2015 14:24:49 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Lost Female PitBull Mix - US 41 and Crenshaw]]>Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:14:47 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/lost-female-pitbull-mix-us-41-and-crenshawLost female pit bull mix on July 11 in vicinity of 41 and Crenshaw Lake Rd in Lutz.  Please call 949-7951 if found.]]><![CDATA[Dog Park to be closed July 4, 2012]]>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 02:44:07 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/dog-park-to-be-closed-july-4-2012Due to the Fourth of July Parade, the Lutz Dog Park will be closed on July 4. Consider using  the Land o' Lakes Dog Park instead. ]]><![CDATA[Dog Bite Prevention Week]]>Mon, 21 May 2012 02:40:50 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/dog-bite-prevention-week
Press Release from Hillsborough County Animal Services: Bite Prevention Week And The Family Dog 

Of the more than 2,100 dog bite reports received annually by Hillsborough County Animal Services, most involve the "family dog." Statistically, most bites occur to young children, the elderly, and service professionals (such as letter-carriers). Dogs bite out of fear, discomfort from pain or hunger, or to protect themselves and their territory.  

To bring attention to dog bites, each May, National Dog Bite Prevention Week is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Society (AVMA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the United States Postal Services (USPS). 

Dogs typically warn of impending danger through their body language, but adults and children often fail to recognize the signs.  Any dog can bite, and animal experts worldwide agree that there is no evidence to predict the likelihood or frequency of dog bites according to breed.

In observance of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 20 - 26), Hillsborough County Animal Services offers the following tips to keep pets and people safe:

  • Never, ever leave a dog alone and unsupervised with children!
  • Respect a dog's territory and space. Don't run at or rush over to greet and pet a dog.
  • Do love and train, don't chain your dog. 
  • Avoid teasing games or use of rough play.
  • Use positive reinforcement for obedience to enhance behavior and the bond with your pet. 
  • Provide your dog proper food, water, veterinary care, and shelter from the elements.
  • Keep pets' rabies vaccinations up-to-date and County tags secured at all times.
  • Spay and neuter your dog to decrease roaming and aggression. Hillsborough County even provides assistance for those who meet income guidelines.
  • Don't interfere with dogs that are eating, sleeping or nursing puppies.
  • Ask permission before petting a dog, and allow it to sniff you first.
  • Keep dogs under control and mind leash law.
  • Don't allow to run free and dominate territory. Remember, owners bear moral and legal responsibility for their dogs.
  • Secure dogs away from visitors during deliveries or work by service providers.
  • Avoid direct eye contact when meeting dogs for the first time, especially if a dog is nervous or angry.
  • If confronted by an aggressive dog, don't scream or run. This will make the dog more reactive and give chase.
  • Place an object (such as a bicycle or back pack) between you and an unwanted or angry dog.
  • Heed and educate children about canine warning signs which include: growling, curling of the lip, baring of teeth, fur raised on the neck or back, and tails tucked under hind legs. 
  • Do not reach out to stray dogs or attempt to comfort frightened dogs by invading their space.     
If bitten by a dog, wash the area immediately with soap and water and obtain needed medical attention immediately to avoid infection. Report all dog bites to Animal Services and include the owner's name and address in order to determine the dog's vaccination history. Report aggressive, sick, stray, neglected or abused animals to assist Animal Services' prevention efforts.

To make a report, obtain more information on dog-bite prevention, or to learn more about the low-cost Spay/Neuter Voucher Program for residents of Hillsborough County, contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at 813-744-5660, email HCASinfo@hillsboroughcounty.org, or log on to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices.

]]><![CDATA[Found Toyota key]]>Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:57:41 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/found-toyota-keyA Toyota key has been found in the small dog area.  Email me  with a description of what was attached to the key and your phone number. ]]><![CDATA[Garden Gnome Plants for the Future]]>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:39:47 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/garden-gnome-plants-for-the-futureSeveral weeks ago Chip Offers  - owner of The Garden Gnome Landscaping had an idea.  As a small dog park user, with his dogs Dudley and Olive, he wished there was more shade.  He decided  to plant some trees to take care of the issue. He arranged for  Pine Lake Nursery  to donate one 30 gallon maple tree and he would donate a second one. 

However he needed to get necessary permissions from the county. At that time I had advised him of the new Lutz Dog Park  website/blog and my new role as a dog park volunteer. After we finished our usual discourse on politics, he mentioned his plans to me.  I then reached out to Adrienne Rouse and Paul Russo of the Parks Dept.  They in turn obtained the necessary approvals from the Parks Department management. 

Today Chip and his employee Logan Carter planted both trees. The trees were so big they had to water them using his wheelbarrow. Chip plans to stop by every day to continue watering the trees until they can make it alone. We placed the trees so there would be some additional shade during parts of the day on the nearby benches.  Chip predicts that in a couple of years the trees will really shoot up, giving the small dog users the shade we need.
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Pre-tree planting
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First 30 gallon maple tree planted
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The second maple tree standing proud in its new home, ready to be peed on by the small dogs.
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Pre-tree planting
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Chip Offers and Logan Carter plant the second 30 gallon maple tree
I like Chip's logo a lot and decided to share it along with his and the Pine Lake Nursery's contact information.  He calls it a logo and I call it a self portrait of him. When you see Chip or drive by the nursery tell them thanks..

The Garden Gnome
2306 Towery Tr.
Lutz, FL 33549
813-789-9616
chip@thegardengnome.net 


Pine Lake Nursery 
19619 N Dale Mabry Hwy.
Lutz, FL 33548
813948-6209 
sales@pinelakenurseryinc.com

 

]]><![CDATA[John's Butcher Shop]]>Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:11:01 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/johns-butcher-shopYou've been to the dog park and you've worked up an appetite watching your dog run around.  Where to do to get something to eat?  John's Butcher Shop - literally located next to the large dog area. Aside from serving up a good deal on meat with the $100 Family Pack, they also have food you can eat immediately. Sweet tea and soft drinks, burgers, hot dogs,corns dogs, quesadillas, tuna sandwiches, cubans, grilled chicken sandwiches, stuffed potato balls, devil crabs, chef salad and lots more including ice cream.  Although you can't eat in the dog park, the Veteran's Park has benches, or the Lutz Depot has a great covered place to sit and eat, or you can wander on down to the nature trail and eat at the picnic tables there.

Located at 102 1st Ave SW, Lutz Fl 33548
Phone (813) 909-9746 
Hours Tues to Sat 9AM to 6PM

History of the business in the Lutz Community News.
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Food to go menu items
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Ready to cook items
]]><![CDATA[New Trees for Small Dog Area]]>Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:20:38 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/new-trees-for-small-dog-areaIt has been approved by the Parks Dept  for Chip Offers of  The Garden Gnome  to donate and plant  two maple trees in the small dog park.  This should eventually add more shade. 
The trees will roughly be planted where the white and greens chairs are in these photos.
]]><![CDATA[Facebook group and Email Group]]>Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:20:02 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/facebook-group-and-email-groupCome join the Lutz Dog Park Facebook group or the Yahoo email group Friends of Lutz Dog Park
]]><![CDATA[Southeast Corner fenced in]]>Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:11:19 GMThttp://lutzdogpark.weebly.com/lutz-dog-park-news/southeast-corner-fenced-inThe Southeast corner of the large dog area has had a severe erosion problem. 
For a while, park users tried deal with the problem by sticking things in the hole or a  such as the chair above or a.large trash can,  The county would come in a place a load of dirt and eventually that would wash away.  

However the problem did not go away.  Some of the problem is due to water flowing down the park through the fence but the largest source of the problem was the water flowing from the ditch between the fence and railroad tracks.  That water  started undercutting the fence corner to the point the concrete base was about hanging in mid air.
The problem became so bad the county  that in October 2011 they  had to add additional fencing 10 feet in from the old one.   
No word as to whether the erosion will ever be fixed and that area of the park reclaimed.
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