Friday, May 11, 2012

Dogs Take Over: Where Does It Stop? Guestblog by Parksforpeople

South Pointe Park
Pet pooches in Miami Beach, Aventura and Coconut Grove all have one thing in common WATERFRONT dog parks. Our waterfront land is so precious, why are we limiting its use?

Brickell thinks they deserve one too. I am targeting the Miami Beach dog park. The City of Miami Beach has complete trust and confidence in the ability of their dog owners to self police and control their dogs. But, picking up doesn't negate the feces born bacteria. It prevents others from being able to use this land. And this waterfront belongs NOT ONLY to dog owners.

The dog owners of South Beach (highly organized as SOFIK9) are not at all like those Scofflaws over on Brickell, who made the Miami Circle experiment go so disastrously wrong and create all those bad feelings. Our lovely City, went to all the trouble of reversing that strict Miami Dade County ordinance just to hand over to our canines, the largest expanse of green space, with tall shade palms in South Pointe Park next to Government Cut. at the coolest times of the day, sunrise to 10am. and 4pm to 7pm. Its a fine spot, by Smith and Wollensky, to watch dogs of all sizes and dispositions having a great time, off leash. Other visitors to the park, on the other hand be warned. There are only four concrete benches along there, on Cut Walk. You certainly can't sit on the grass to see the ships go by, or the sun go down. Kids don't expect to run about, do cartwheels, or play tag or ball, some dogs are aggressive.

Its more important that the dogs have space to play tag and ball. Unsafe, Unsanitary, Unfair...you think????
This is an idea that will have to be  adopted as dog owners are so inconsiderate and unaware and seem to be fantasizing that they are helping to fertilize the environment.  

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I find it strange that in Kennedy Park the dogs have a view of the water and the kids have a view of the parking lot. I always cover my mouth and nose as I run by the dog park. During the dry months it would be nearly impossible for the fecal matter not to mix with the dust and picked up by the winds blowing off the bay. Yes, I know the dog shit is picked up, but its impossible to get all of it. During those months the dogs destroy the grass and the whole thing becomes a disgusting dusty mess.

Anonymous said...

Reduce the number of dogs needed to satisfy the desire for unrequited love for those pet owners, by requiring all dogs taken outside to wear diapers like baby’s.

Anonymous said...

You guys are all off base. Give a dog his or her, day. Why should Miami politicians be able to roam off-leash but not dogs?

Anyhow, all dog owners must pick up their poop. That's more than you can say about politicians who litter the landscape with golden promises.

miaexile said...

Puhleez - there are loads of parks for kids around. There is a reason why the parks nearest the water that you describe allow dogs - to disuade your rude and unruly kids from going there! Imagine the peaceful South Pointe park setting suddenly full of screaming brats...no thanks, I'd rather see dogs. And please, get over your fear of dog shit.

Anonymous said...

As a dog owner (of four to be exact), I am not a fan of dog parks. It's a never know situation, in addition to the disease factor as some of stated. My dogs have their shots, but it doesn't protect them from other stuff, which could also kill them or make them terribly ill. Then there's always the off leash scuffle that turns into a Judge Judy episode. I understand the need of apartment dwellers to want a place for their pets to run, but there's go to be a better way!

PS: To those dog owners with "toy breeds" small enough to fit in a large hand bag; it's not very cute to let them run around the vets office without leash because when my 100 lb dog walks in and your cute little dog ends up in its' mouth, guess whose fault it is?

CATO said...

Parksforpeople I'm sure PETA wants to have a little chat with you.
How dare you try to deny a pooch his waterfront view have you no shame.

Geniusofdespair said...

I must weigh in. My sister lives across the street from a dog park in Broward. It is quiet and she has no problem with smells etc. In Broward they seem to pick up after their dogs. There are sidewalks within the dog park and a separate area for small dogs.

It is not a waterfront park. Dogs don't need to be directly on the waterfront. I think they could be back at least 40 feet leaving a walkway area for pedestrians and families. Lets all share the park not take it over. Again, the Miami Circle site should not have dogs.

Anonymous said...

Marc Sarnoff is the culprit green space destroyer on Brickell and Coconut Grove. He has destroyed more parks and green space than any other commissioner in Miami. Yet due to a major million dollar special interest campaign advertising a lot of people actually came to believe the lie that he is for environmental protection and a green candidate!!! Of course in reality he completely fooled people. He would say any lie to fool people, when in fact he cares more about dogs than people.

doglover said...

This is just another rant from a dog hater. It would be great karma if a big dog bites his leg off.

Anonymous said...

We like Hispanics, we just don't like Jorge.

Geniusofdespair said...

This person is not a dog hater...they just know that dogs don't sit there staring at waterfront vistas like people do. Why are you so closed minded?

Dogs can be a bit more inland. I love dogs, I just don't want them taking over waterfront land. If they had some need for the waterfront...it would be a different story.

parksforpeople said...

Dog owners are the problem, not the dogs. They most definitely have lower standards of hygiene. They , and I am not kidding you, sit with their dogs on the benches beside them on a beautiful sunset evening by the art in public places "Obstinate Lighthouse" sculpture , unaware of how crazy they are and how selfish and unsanitary this is .

YouscratchmybackIscratchyours said...

The Compliant Commissioners of Miami Beach (you know who they are !) are always concerned about their war chests, so they are more responsive to the demands of the dog owners South of Fifth,.who have already had a beautifull and well maintained large dog park especially constructed for them, with trees and a fountain two blocks away at Washington Ave:and second street, with a smaller one on Collins Avenue. Apparently not enough, those waterfront views in South Pointe Park are required also .

Anonymous said...

Miaexile do you realise how irritating yapping litlle dogs and big ,barking dogs are to other people? Dogdoo is nasty, too and nothing you say can change that indisputable fact. . If toddlers peed all over everything in sight you would object too.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been able to walk off the sidewalk in South Beach for years because of dog waste. 10 years ago things were not too bad. Now its gotten to the point even the sidewalks have waste. Really? Are people that sad and lonely they have to buy a dog? Please self medicate and let the rest of us live in peace.