Human behaviors shameful at dog park

No people allowed Given the good weather, it was a popular day to be at the dog park. It was also a time to remind me of how irresponsible people can be.

There are many cars constantly moving in and out of parking spots, but that doesn't stop people from just letting their dogs out of their cars without a leash. I go into a sweat every time I back out my car, moving as slowly as I can and hoping no dog is on the loose behind me.

Then there was the guy recently who opened both gates to the park and didn't bother to close either one (easily allowing a dog to run out into the busy parking lot) because he was too busy talking to his friend. Let's not also forget those people who get to the park, let their dogs off leash and then pay attention to everything but their dog. No wonder the park is filled with “land mines.” Of course, you know their excuse is they were too busy doing other things to notice their dog doing their business. That's right, you are too busy socializing with others at the park or talking on your cell.

There are also those who think their dog can be off leash and they don't have to worry about how it interacts with other dogs (last time I checked, dogs were still animals) and will occasionally go at it with other dogs. Of course, their owner is 100 feet away doing something else while their dog gets into a fight with another dog.

But the ones who take the cake (or park), are those who think they can bring their toddlers and let them wander around unsupervised just like their dogs.

Some dogs at this park easily weigh over 200 pounds and can knock down a fully grown adult, let alone a kid weighing 30 or 40 pounds.

It probably won't surprise you to know that the same guy who brought his toddler is the one who parked in the “Reserved Parking for Rangers Only” spot.

I guess that's enough barking on this topic.

Bruce Handler

Hawthorn Woods