DETROIT – People are flocking to parks to enjoy the warm weather and many are bringing their dogs.
On Friday (May 24), Detroit made a new effort to ensure everyone felt safe with those animals around.
As summer unofficially begins, there’s a point of emphasis on preventing loose dogs from spoiling anyone’s outdoor fun.
The rule that dogs must be leashed isn’t new, but some recent bites and maulings have Detroit Animal Care taking a fresh look at enforcement.
It is the law, and the city constantly reminds dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash.
Donald Nance had his hands full on the scenario on Friday.
Local 4 met him as he was coming back from the park with his pack of Yorkies and Shih Tzu.
There was also a terrier named Scottie. Nance says the big dogs in his neighborhood on Detroit’s west side are fenced in, and his pack is pretty well known.
“They call them the Paw Patrol over here,” said Nance.
This summer, the city of Detroit General Services Division, Detroit Animal Care Division, is not okay with dogs not being on a leash.
Nance is considering putting leads on the Paw Patrol.
Larger dogs recently attacked and killed its owner in Farmington Hills, and a 1-year-old in Wixom was hurt by the family dog.
There are reports of dog bites across the city of Detroit, which have attracted the city’s attention.
And in 2023 when 4-year-old Lovell Anderson was mauled to death by a dog that was not secured.
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“We had a couple of fatal maulings that were not pretty,” said Director Crystal Perkins of Detroit General Services. “All dogs were owned, and they were not on a leash.”
The city is now installing billboards and posting on social media urging dog owners to ensure their dogs are on a leash.
Perkins said it is important to her to leash dogs and not let anyone or any kids get hurt.
“So, I’ve been telling our teams that we have to get a campaign out about responsible ownership, but these recent maulings in the city and outside of the city prompted us to move faster,” Perkins said.
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