Off leash dogs have been a serious issue for decades in Frick Park, it would be great to see owners respect others, (and the law) and keep their dogs on a leash.

I love being able to let my dog run around and expend energy. The thing is, I have a 92 pound German Shepherd. If I had a dollar for every person that comes up to me with an "I was bitten/frightened/terrorized by a Shepherd," I'd have enough for coffee. Unless we are in an off-leash area, he is on leash even though he is the biggest sissy ever and just wants to be friendly and play.

Your survey is missing a question:: :: do dogs off leashes bother you and do you want them on leashes at all times? my answer is yes yes. I do not like dogs running up to me and worse when they are muddy and wet. If one more owner says to me "oh he/she is really friendly" I might have to say well I am not. I ask owners to control their dogs frequently. Fence in the big open space and let them run free. Thanks alot.

I am NOT a dog owner but an avid hiker that uses the park regularly. I have NOT encountered vicious dogs, annoying situations, or unfriendly off-leash dog owners in the past 13 yrs that I've lived here. In fact I quite enjoy seeing the energy and unbriddled fun dogs share when running freely in the park. It motivates me to get into the park and be as energetic as I can. My observations seems to be that the few encounters that were annoying, unfriendly and/or questionably vicious were from the ON-leash dog owners who were upset that the other dogs weren't on-leash or from a very samll majoriety of people who are frightened by on-leash or off-leash dogs. Dogs naturally seem to befriend and engage one another...maybe we should take a lesson from THEM!

The city has had an ordinance on the books since the late 90s. It would be great if dog owners actually considered obeying the law, but what would be especially super is if the PPD ever got around to enforcing it. I'm not sure which is more common in the park, police patrols or fairies and elves, but I suspect both are mythological.

First of all, thank you for bringing this issue to light. I've lived in the city for nearly 6 years, and moved here because of the strong cycling culture and city and county park system. My wife and I live in Point Breeze. Frick Park has been a sanctuary to me since I've lived here. I am an active runner and mountain biker. It's wonderful to have such a large, beautiful park within walking and riding distance to your home.

I'm one of those people who has called 911, 311, Animal Control, Parks Conservancy, etc to act on this issue. In 2012, it still blows my mind that people let their dogs run off leash in a 563 acre when they have no idea who they are going to encounter. And let me add, it's not just the park anymore. While on my evening runs or bike rides, I often encounter people walking their dogs off leash in Regent Square and Park Place neighborhoods, which blows my mind.

Around a year ago, my wife was in the park near the playground on Beachwood Blvd. We had just bought a brand new digital SLR and she was in the park, minding her own business, taking pictures. A large golden retriever ran up and jumped on her, got tangled in her earbud wires, and knocked her down. The owner's repsonse? "Sorry". I, fortunately, or unfortunatley, wasn't there with her. Unfortunately, because we all want to protect our loved ones. Fortunately, because I probably would have went to jail.

I am not a dog owner, but my husband and I enjoy taking our 7 month old daughter for walks in the park and on the trail. After our last walk, and seeing at least 9 dogs off leash, we may have to stop doing so. While I don't personally mind a friendly dog jumping up to lick my face, doing so while my daughter is strapped to the front of my chest could cause serious harm! Not even considering dogs that bite or scratch, even a nice dog who "has never hurt a fly" can accidentally harm someone. There's a first time for everything, and I don't want myself or my daughter to be your dog's first injury! The parks are here first and foremost for PEOPLE to enjoy, so if you want to bring your pet, you should obey the law and respect the other people who are using it as well.

The thing that bothers me the most is, it's appauling that people seem to think everyone will be receptive to their animals attention. I've fallen off my bike twice because of a dog racing towards me. I've had plenty of other encounters where I haven't fallen, the dog owners have been pleasant enough along with their dogs, but, plain and simple, the dog wanders up to me when I don't want it too. I don't care how well trained, or well manored your animal is. If you use the park and let your dog off leash, would you want a six foot tall stranger wandering up to you? It's a 563 acre park, do you really feel comfortable letting your animal loose? Are you aware that multiple people have been physically attacked in the park over the past couple of years because their animals have intruded on others?

I no longer take my dog to Frick Park because of the off-leash dogs. Though I don't plan to go back anytime soon, I'm glad to see that so many other people who are commenting here feel strongly about leashing dogs in Frick.

First, I cannot count how many times my dog was approached by an off-leash dog whose owner called out "she's friendly!" only to have the dog snap at him. Related: even if a dog isn't aggressive, some people just don't like dogs, and we dog owners should understand and respect that.

Second, my dog is a young, 65-pound German Shorthaired Pointer--arguably one of the most energetic breeds around. He behaves well off-leash (in places where it's legal) and has never, ever shown aggression even when leashed and approached by an aggressive off-leash dog. "He's got so much energy it's impractical to have him on a leash," is an inconsiderate and irresponsible claim. I walk him in my neighborhood every day, play fetch with him in my backyard, and take him on hikes and to permitted off-leash parks on the weekends. There are ways to get a dog enough exercise that don't include letting him/her run off-leash in Frick Park. If I can do it, anyone can.

For people who'd like to let their dogs run free legally, I recommend Sewickley Heights Borough Park (12 miles of off-leash trails) and some of the nearby forests and gamelands (NOT State Parks--it's not legal there).

Thanks for covering this subject again, Patch!

Does anyone here encounter the same problem at parks in Forest Hills or anywhere else around the neighborhood?

I also make reports to 311, and I carry pepper spray. I was bitten by an off-leash dog in Frick Park on 12-31-11. I required a trip to the ER (on New Year's Eve) and a tetanus shot. Even with insurance, I paid $300 in medical bills. The law requires hat dogs be leashed AND that owners control them. That means that even if your dog jumps over the fence in an off-leash area (as in Hot Dog Dam) and hurts someone, the owner is still liable.

There are days when I count 12-14 off-leash dogs. Dog owners, I will pepper spray your unleashed dog. It is arrogant to think that your dog won't bite. Your dog has teeth. It bites, and sometimes it will bite people.

Justin I've taken the lead in trying to get something done in the park four nearly 6 years and we still haven't got anywhere. I have contacts at WTAE and I think I'm going to send them a link to our discussion and see if we can get some attention that way. But even if we do, it still won't be enough. It's kind of like the new texting law. We all still see people texting, don't we? People don't think laws apply to them, especially the dog owners of the east end of our city. It is unfortunate, but if word gets around that people are carrying pepper spray and these dog owners can see that people are doing this, we may see a change

I'm more than willing to meet, and no worries, I'll never give up on this.

Do the people know it's the law? Don't be fooled if you're told different, but of course they do. The dog owners who use our parks, city and county, are some of the most ignorant people I've ever met.

As far as the Regent Square Civic Association, well, I'd bet you good money that some of those members just may be dog owners who commit these violations themselves.

By the way, I have sent an email to a contact I have at WTAE and referred this person to this discussion.

You have to understand my mentallity Justin: I'm a very bottom line, common sense, practical person. Anyone who posseses the same qualities wouldn't let an animal roam free amongst other strangers, whether they know about a law or not. Seriously, anyone who knows anything at all regarding general public rules and regulations should know/would know that they shouldn't be taking an animal to a public park and let it roam free and up to strangers. I know every inch of that park by heart, and there are signs everywhere. I'm not going to waste my time levelling with people who know exactly what they are doing. Trying to level with these dog owners is the politcally correct thing to do, but this issue is long past just comming to common ground with these people. And look at the comments I made about the same people walking their dogs loose through the neighborhood, seriously, who in their right mind does that? People like that don't deserve a meeting with a community group trying to make things better, they simply should face consequences from law enforcement regarding their lack of common sense.

I'm still mixed on this. I have not let my dog off the leash there, except at hot dog dam. It's pretty overwhelming.

"CS"..........I'm one person who has to resort to jaywalking across South Braddock at times, simply because people ignore crosswalk laws. As a runner, pedestrian, and cyclist, I do my part to obey all rules expected of me. It's when others don't show me the same courtesy or infringe on my personal space when I get upset. You can wait all day to cross traffic on South Braddock, forcing some people to jay walk. But there is no logical, sensible reason to let an animal, no matter how tame or well behaved, roam free amongst strangers.

I deleted my earlier post, because I indicated I stopped going to Frick a few years ago with my dog because of the unleashed dogs and that isn't completely correct. I went there for a few years and always had my dog on a leash except in the designated off leash areas. My dogs are small and at time were intimidated by the large off leash dogs, but the did always work it out. My real problem was we loved to walk the trails. I can't tell you how many times we were run off the trail by the cyclists. Some of the trails are extremely narrow with steep dropoffs. These trails should be designated for walking, cycling but not both. A person walking with a dog on a leash can be severely injured by a cycle flying down hill on a narrow path. So, at any rate, I wasn't chased out of the park by the unleashed dogs, but rather by the cyclists.

Sue,

I haven't had any issues with people riding bikes on the main trails in the park. In fact, I always find the bikers are very courteous towards the other trail users.

As Scott mentioned, the narrow (single track) trails are built, and maintained at the expense of cycling groups, and are purpose built for mountain bikes. There are no rules that state people cannot walk on these trails, but people should avoid walking on them (especially with dogs) for the safety of themselves, and the bikers using the trails. I rarely walk on the single track trails, but when I do, I expect to see bikers riding on them, and I always yield the right of way to them by stepping completely off the trail so they can pass safely.

Sue, the Braddock trail is wide enough to drive a truck up and down, I've seen the City Parks trucks do it many times. Any trail you have been on OFF of the Braddock trail is NOT the Braddock trail.

There are no trails marked only for bikes in the park.

I can bring another point of view. I have a dog-aggressive German shepherd. My family has 5 other dogs that he is perfectly able to socialize with without aggression; it's just a matter of getting to know other dogs appropriately. For my shep to socialize properly, it takes a specific environment - that environment is NOT Frick. Dogs charging us, even if to say hello, is always perceived as a threat.

Dogs that are on a leash are in a different state of mind than those that are leashed. Being on a leash means the dog is working. Off-leash dogs often have a do-whatever mentality that clashes with dogs that are in that working state of mind.

Walking my shep in Frick when leashed is risky due to the number of dogs that simply run up to say hello. I understand that other dogs may be friendly and looking to play - mine isn't. I've been yelled at by other park-goers for kicking their dog when it approaches. In reality, I'm using my leg to keep it from making eye contact and giving body language that can lead to a bad situation. Maybe I should kick the dog owner for stupidity, though.

I also walk my shep without a leash in specific areas that I know people will not be near so I have an opportunity to get him some tennis ball time (he is a dog after all - he needs it). I do what I have to do to give my dog a happy life, and I do it as responsibly as I can. In my opinion, if you want to go off leash, do it where no one else is.

Very good points Dan V, and I have respect for you and your attitude.

I sympathize with all the comments. However there must be some latitude for owners with well trained dogs who do not bother any body. This is not a yes/no situation. We must work to accommodate everyone. So far after using the park for 30 years the only animals who have bothered me have people not the dogs. Let's not blame the anals for the owners lack of education.

Sorry for the typo. Animals not anals.

I'm with Luis... I have a well trained English Setter that I run with at Frick. She is well socialized with people and animals but has little interest in either when we are there. She is all about our run. I utilize an electronic collar with a remote in the event that I need to reinforce my verbal commands while running the trails. It works like a charm for us. I wish there was a way for others to understand that just because there is not a physical tether between the dog and I does not mean I do not have sufficient control over my dog.

I don't care how "well-behaved" or "friendly" people say their dogs are. I have been nearly tripped up by dogs dozens of times while running. I try my best to avoid them, but I can't say it always works the same for them trying to avoid me. The worst offenders are those with 3 or 4 dogs at once.

The City or County police could send two officers there with bikes one weekend a Month, and actually fine people the $300 listed on all the signs posted at the main park entry points. That or 30 days in the hole (or perhaps supervised dog poop cleanup in the parks). They could rake in thousands of dollars!

There should have been another option given in this poll. Something like, I still use Frick Park often but am fed up with unleashed dogs and their ignorant owners. I am gong to carry Bear Spray with me and spray the next unleashed dog that runs up to me.

Quit your whining -- and you bikers are more of a nuisance than the dogs, leashed or unleashed!

I'm not a biker. Bikers have never once been a nuisance to me. Unleashed dogs have been many times. Not only a nuisance but a danger. How would you like it if you were running through the park and while you were dodging one unleashed dog, another ran under your feet? Pointing out that ignorant asses are violating a law and just plain being ignorant asses does not constitute whining. Law violators complaining that people like me are being too harsh in our criticism of them is whining.

The more people that use a park the better. The more we all "get along" the more enjoyable for all. I ride, walk, run, and walk my dog in the park. I have never once in 15 years had to pause for more than 25 seconds to allow a biker, runner, or dog to pass.
In Forest Hills all parks are dog free except for the space on Avenue L which requires dogs be on leashes. We have had no complaints in the year we have had this policy.

Oh how great Frick Park would be if it were dog free.

your questionnaire leaves out the choice: I use Frick Park but do not approve of dogs off leash.. that is my answer.. IT IS THE LAW subject to FINES.. OBEY it. Why there is any discussion about this is beyond me. IT IS THE LAW.. if you don't like the law petition to change it..Otherwise put your dog on a leash..

Well said, Steve. If we all (dog owners, non-dog owners, concerned parents with children, bikers, citizens armed with bear spray, etc.) were willing to take 25 seconds to patiently consider that our idea of enjoying the park may not be the same for the next person and that's okay... we'd all be a lot better off.

PS Scott... I completely understand that "a law is a law". I understand that I am not in compliance with the law as it is written. I am ok with that. I also understand that you are not. Much like Dan said above, I do what I can to provide my dog with a happy life as responsibly as possible. I recognize that not everyone will agree with my approach and I'm all right with that.