Forget the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Palisades Recreation Center Director Erich Haas is caught in the middle of an equally nasty dispute: the ongoing battle between owners who let their dogs run off-leash at the park and the city ordinance that rules that dogs must be tethered.
Haas told the Park Advisory Board last Wednesday night that he continually receives complaints from park patrons who are fearful of off-leash dogs. When he (or a staff member) approaches an off-leash dog owner and asks that person to stop breaking the law, he is often verbally abused.
“I can’t use the language/names they call me,” Hass told the board. “No sooner do we get back to the office and we have another complaint from another resident. I’ve spoken repeatedly to the same people [offenders].”
Since January, 14 new signs (L.A. Municipal Code 63.44-B,2,C.) have been posted warning residents to keep their dogs on leash while in the park. “The signs don’t seem to be working,” said Haas, who has no power to cite individuals for breaking the law.
The LAPD is now responsible for security and enforcing the law at parks, libraries and other municipal facilities.
The security service division of the LAPD maintains a 24-hour watch commander on duty. By dialing (213) 978-4670, residents can report off-leash dogs, alcohol and drug use, illegal and nuisances sports activity, bug nests (bees and wasps), trespassing, lewd conduct, after-hours facility maintenance emergencies, request for extra patrols, alarm activations and to report problems anonymously.
People seeing a violent crime or a crime in progress should still dial 911.
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