Friend or foe? Without a leash, I never know...
Sometimes I think it is my personal mission to inform dog owners of the local leash law.
The other day, I even called the local police to report a golden lab who wandered aimlessly in King Park in Newport, RI. After a few minutes, I did see a police car drive down Wellington Ave — impressive. But about a half hour later and block away, I passed two women attempting to leash that same dog — not as impressive.
“Is that your dog?” I asked the two women.
“No,” one of them said. “But he has a collar and we’re going to phone the owner.”
“Oh, I said, “I called the police earlier but I guess they didn’t find him,” I answered.
“Thank you so much,” she said. Obviously, she attributed much nicer intentions than I had. In fact, I had hoped the dog would be picked up and the owner charged hundreds of dollars to free their caged beloved pet. No such luck.
Just keep your dog on a leash. Is it really so much to ask? I don’t care how nice he or she is, how gentle, how old. If your dog needs to run around, then run alongside your leashed dog. If you can’t manage that, then take the poor creature to a dog park — I’ve listed them all below to help you out. If you can’t even manage that, are you sure you want a dog?
And if you don’t heed my advice, just remember I have the number of Animal Control, and I’m not afraid to use it (or post it, see below).
Rhode Island Off-Leash Dog Parks
Haines Park Dog Park
On the west side of Haines Memorial State Park
Rt 103
Barrington, Rhode Island
www.riparks.com/haines.htm
Bristol Paw Park (coming soon)
Bristol, Rhode Island
www.bristolpawpark.org (not yet live)
Newport Dog Park
At the base of the Pell Bridge, across the street from the Newport Playhouse.
Connell Highway
Newport, Rhode Island
Gano Street Dog Park
Gano Street and Power Street (adjacent to basketball courts)
Providence, Rhode Island
www.providencedogparkassociation.org/gano_street.htm
Warwick Dog Park
In Warwick City Park down the road, past parking on the right.
Asylum Road
Warwick, Rhode Island
To Report an Un-Leashed Dog
Call the (non-emergency) number for your local police station or one of the animal control offices listed.
Animal Control
Providence, Rhode Island
(401) 243-6040
www.providenceri.com/animal/
Barrington Police Animal Control
Barrington, Rhode Island
(401) 437-3936
Bristol Dog Pound
Bristol, Rhode Island
(401) 253-4834
Central Falls Animal Control
Central Falls, Rhode Island
(401) 727-7411 x3106
Charlestown Animal Control Shelter
Charlestown, Rhode Island
(401) 364-1211
Coventry Police Department: Animal Control & Rescue
Coventry, Rhode Island
(401) 822-9106
Hopkinton Animal Control
Hopkinton, Rhode Island
(401) 377-7785
Lincoln Town Animal Control
Lincoln, Rhode Island
(401) 333-0950
North Kingstown-Exeter Animal Rescue League
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
(401) 294-1115
Pawtucket: Animal Control Officer
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
(401) 722-4243
Portsmouth Animal Control
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
(401) 643-0136
Smithfield Animal Control
(401) 233-1055
Animal Rescue League
Wakefield, Rhode Island
(401) 792-2233
Tiverton Animal Control
Tiverton, Rhode Island
(401) 624-6624
Warwick Police: Animal Control Officer
Warwick, Rhode Island
(401) 468-4377
West Greenwich Animal Control
West Greenwich, RI
(401) 397-8999
Animal Rescue League Westerly
Westerly, Rhode Island
(401) 596-2090
Richmond Animal Control
Wyoming, Rhode Island
(401) 766-6571
Michele Meek
geoffmeek
Excellent post, we are dog owners ourselves and always have our dog on a leash. The number of aggressive dogs that we encounter off leash is absolutely unacceptable.
A large white poodle acted aggressively towards our dog and my wife’s friend. My wife asked the owner of the large white poodle to kindly leash her dog and she responded “If you don’t want to deal with an off leash dog, don’t come to the park in the winter”.
Incredulous at the response, I’ve called the animal control shelter to advise them of the situation, and knowing this type of attitude, the dog will be at the park, off leash next weekend, and hopefully animal control will teach her a lesson by writing her a ticket accompanied by a hefty fine. The dogs don’t need to be punished, they did nothing wrong, it’s always the owners.
Thanks so much for your comment — it’s great to see a dog owner who agrees that leashes (except for off leash parks) make perfect sense!
I do not agree with either of you and the fact that your knee jerk reaction is to “have the number of Animal Control, and I’m not afraid to use it” and hope “animal control will teach her a lesson by writing her a ticket accompanied by a hefty fine” is cruel. As dog owners, one would think you enjoy seeing the happiness of your dog enjoying him or herself because that brings you joy. Owners who walk their dogs at the 2nd beach in the winter or King’s park to play fetch just want to intake on that joy too. I am sorry if your dogs are not well behaved enough to be off a leash but those owners who have taken the time to train their dog to be good off the leash companions should be able to let their dog run in the water or fetch a tennis ball without the worry of someone calling the police to slap them with a fine that might not let be able to buy groceries that week. Its not like they were selling drugs on the corner to children, they were just walking their dog and minding their own business and maybe both of should too.
A new dog park is opening in Fall River at Silva Park, located at corner of Locust & North Quarry Streets on June 1, 2011.
The Bristol Park is taking FOREVER to open….what’s up with that…and where is it supposed to be located?
I’ve also gone to Barrington (a relatively long distance for me) and due to winter weather with parking areas “iced” over, I was unable to find … someplace near the ballfield? Where, I wonder, does one park?
While providing dog parks (which is wonderful), could authorities also erect some “signage” indicating where the dog park is…at least Newport is near Playhouse, so park can be located by getting directions for Playhouse.
I know there is also a dog park between Atwells and Broadway in Providence, almost at the end. It’s a pretty good one too!
There is a great new (as of Summer 2010) dog park in South Kingstown/Wakefield behind the South County YMCA. Very nice, separate fenced areas for large & small dogs, and it is grass for dogs that don’t like sand. Public restrooms as well (and they are clean!) as the town’s baseball fields are there, so you can fill up your water bowls.
you should be ashamned of yourself.
I’m not sure who you mean by “you” — one of the previous reviewers or me? Anyway, I’m happy to see I’ve inspired some ire — when my sister first read this post (she has a dog) she told me I should remove it. But then I was pleasantly surprised at the response. But it seems like I’ve reached a different category of dog owner now… the ones who like to let their dogs run free to possibly bite a child, get run over by a car or generally scare the shit out of people like me…
Statistically, you are more likely to be hit by a car yourself than be bit by a dog off a leash. You are also insiuating that people who play fetch with thier dogs or let thier dogs run are sadistic people who just want to scare you. When in all reality these people are just fun outdoors loving people just trying to spend time with a beloved pet.
Thanks to everyone who has posted some other places with dog parks!!
Kate – Are we forgetting here the small fact of the *law*? It is illegal in most places to have a dog off leash. I’m sure a quick google search could give you an indication of why — dogs, as beloved as they may be, can be unpredictable. When I was a kid an unleashed dog bit my dad, and I’ve personally experienced several times where a loose dog has wandered into my yard in Newport and growled at us or chased us down the block. Even my sister’s dog has snapped at my daughter. In fact even my sister has had the experience of an unleashed dog attacking her leashed dog which, again, wouldn’t happen if the owner had followed the law. So, no I do not think that their owners are “sadistic people” who want to “scare” me, as you said. What I think is that they are incredibly selfish and irresponsible people who neither follow the law nor respect the rights of other people or pets in the community. If you want to play fetch with your beloved pet, do it in your fenced yard or in a dog park. That’s the law.
I always have my beloved Lab leashed, or off-leash only when I am with him in areas where that is permitted. However, twice in his long life he has roamed away from home because either a child or a guest has negligently left a door open, etc. Thank God he wears a pet ID with our cell number, and also has an ID chip. We spent frantic hours not knowing where he was, or whether he was hit by a car, etc. One time, we were called by animal control officer who picked him up after someone reported him walking down a sidewalk. The other time, someone called us after seeing our phone number on his collar tag. Both times, we were very grateful and relieved beyond belief. No one should assume that the owners of a dog walking around loose have intentionally just let him out to roam around. If you are uncomfortable approaching the dog to read it’s collar tag, please call animal control and let them know where the dog is, and the direction he’s heading. Perhaps you could put some water out, or food, to try to keep the dog there until animal control arrives.