For the second time in a week, an off-leash dog was hit by a vehicle and killed in Central Park, according to a report in A Walk in the Park, run by Geoffrey Croft of NYC Parks Advocates.
“The latest incident occurred on Tuesday at 8:30am when a Shih Tzu darted out and was run over by a vehicle traveling south bound on the Parks’s west drive in the 60’s.”
Update: An eyewitness contacted us about this incident. She said a dog that looked like a shih tzu was hit at West 86th street by a truck on Tuesday shortly before 9 a.m. She arrived just after it was hit and helped the owner. A police officer transported the dog to the vet, where it was pronounced dead. (This was likely the incident referenced above, but we’re double-checking.)
We contacted the parks department, but have not heard back.
We reported last week on another dog that died near 100th street and West Drive after being hit by a parks department vehicle.
“Injuries caused by off-leash dogs continue to be an issue in the city including several incidents that have occurred in Central Park,” notes Croft.
File photo of the park in autumn.
Glad to see someone finally standing up for injuries to garbage trucks and cars. Geoffrey Croft really has his priorities straight. He’s a saint, basically.
Did you happen to click on the link and read his actual blog post?
you are allowed to have dogs off the leash before 9am. Why would the park allow this rule yet have a double standard?
That blogger has a serious anti-dog agenda.
Central Park is a public park – NOT a dog run. I am a dog owner, and live next to the park. I constantly see dogs off leash – getting into trouble. People who jog w/ their dogs off leash very seldom clean up after their dogs. All dogs need to be controlled at all times.
Dogs are allowed off-leash from sunrise until 9am and the majority of dogs off-leash are well supervised. If you don’t choose to take your dog off-leash that’s your choice. Also the majority of dog owners clean up after their dogs. I noticed you have not mentioned the homeless crapping in the park or the joggers that pee on the trees. A well behaved dog with a responsible owner has a great time being a dog running and playing without the restrictions of a leash. leave those dogs and owners alone!
I second that Deborah?
Actually, the majority of dog owners just seem to let their dogs crap BEFORE arriving at the Park, where apparently it is unnecessary to be courteous to your neighbors and appropriate to allow dogs pee and poo all over others’ stoops. Owners have told me that they “cannot control where the dog defecates.” I’m sorry, WHY NOT?!?
That suggests to me that there are far FEWER responsible pet owners than irresponsible, which is a people problem not a dog problem. A responsible pet owner would know whether the dog is capable of being controlled off-leash. People simply need to have respect for others and use a little common sense! Laws cannot protect against stupidity, nor can they prevent every one-off accident, without being oppressive.
How often have you witnessed a jogger running with their dog – normally with the dog running many yards behind the runner? I have never seen one double back to pick up poop, because they are not even looking. Is it really that difficult to keep a leash on a dog, if it will prevent injuries to others and the possible death of a pet?
I run with my dog and can still keep an eye on my dog and clean up after her. It’s called being a responsible person. Most people running (or walking) their dogs manage to keep forward momentum AND watch their dog at the very same time – even stopping to pick up after their dogs. This who don’t pick up after their dog are usually called out at the time by another dog owner. Most know it’s a privilege and are respectful. Don’t judge the masses based on a few.
I don’t get this. Croft says it’s an on-going controversy, and cites two problems, but thousands of dogs and owners responsibly use the park every single day without incident, Where’s the controversy?