Highly restrictive off leash rules discourage density

Despite what some may wish, just because the city has begun restricting where dogs can go off leash, it doesn't mean that people will not have dogs, or not have big dogs, or not take their dogs to parks and other public spaces. People in Portland will continue to have dogs even as yards get smaller and more condos are built. The fact that we, as a city, are becoming more densely populated is a good thing (for many, many reasons).

For many of us, our dogs aren't like gerbils, or box turtles, but members of the family. Consequently, we will, and do, make decisions with their interests in mind. At one of my neighborhood parks (sadly, no longer an "off-leash" space), a neighbor lamented that they bought their current house (a mere one block away) specifically because they would be able to exercise their dog there. Another neighbor claims that he and his wife recently purchased a car in order to take their dog to Normandale park which is several miles away. They didn't really need a car otherwise.

I’ve heard that some are apparently worried about dogs impact on wildlife, including some at the Audubon society. I suppose that some dogs might harm our feathered friends (I've never see it happen). But by campaigning for highly restrictive leash laws, though, I don't think they are seeing the forest for the trees. I know I'm not the only one who is presently looking for a house with a larger-than-standard-50x100-foot lot so I can exercise my dogs during the day. And just where can one find one of these yard-rich houses? Yep, the edges of the city and the suburbs. Can sprawl really be better for birds and other wildlife than a few dogs off-leash in our parks? And, as I said before, harassing and restricting dog owners won’t make dogs disappear. They'll still be around...on leash or otherwise.

(Does anyone even have any statistics on damage that dogs might have on wild birds? Seems an odd connection to make to me. The cats next door – which seem to be at our house half the time --  kills several, maybe dozens, each month and I haven't heard about anyone petitioning the city about it. Ironically, my dog (with my encouragement) convinced one of them to let go of a newly caught young raven a month ago. Who knew? Both the cat and the bird were unharmed.)

Lastly, an article in the Oregonian a few weeks ago pointed out that the recent father-daughter residents of Forest Park cut down 6 trees to build a shelter, carved out large swastikas in an eroding hill, deposited much refuse, and dammed a small creek in the park. The total damage was about $10,000. (No word on how many wild creatures were eaten or otherwise harmed.) When asked, a county spokesperson explained that "funding is tight and the park department's priority is going after dog owners violating leash laws in neighborhood parks".

Pretty much sums it up.