WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has a large and impressive park system consisting of 63 separate parks covering 8,900 acres in Fairmount Park and 71 parks that are governed by the Recreation Department in which thousands of patrons with dogs visit each year; and
WHEREAS, There are numerous cases in which conflicts of interest arise between dog owners and non-dog owners, specifically joggers and small children. Within the United States, there are 4.7 million dog-bite related incidents annually and more than half of dog-bite fatalities occur to children under the age of 10; and
WHEREAS, Other cities around the nation, such as Seattle and New York, have addressed this conflict with the creation of designated “dog runs” within public lands. In these fenced areas, off-leash dogs can exercise freely and safely without violating the rights of other community members; and
WHEREAS, Scientific studies have proven that well exercised dogs are less likely to be markedly aggressive, bark excessively and destroy property; and
WHEREAS, Insurance companies urge dog owners to exercise pets frequently with other people and animals outside the home in order to prevent animal bites; and
WHEREAS, There is overwhelming sentiment in dog-park communities around the nation that designated dog areas serve as a neighborhood builder and bring about a greater sense of unity within residents; and
WHEREAS, Large groups of dogs and owners present in dog parks can serve as a crime deterrent. This year, statistics of Minneapolis’ Richfield Airport show a 100% decrease in parking lot crime after a dog park was added to its vicinity; and
WHEREAS, The City does support a designated off-leash dog facility by appropriating funds to the Schuylkill River Dog Run on 25th and Locust Streets; and
WHEREAS, Despite this current effort, there is still an overwhelming need for appropriate space to safely exercise the Philadelphia animals without infringing upon other users of City parks; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the City Council Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs is authorized to hold public hearings on the benefits of dog parks and dog runs and to further investigate potential sites for these areas within the City of Philadelphia public park system.
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