In honor of Responsible Pet Owner Month, please be a responsible dog park user. Many, if not all, of the recommendations for the honorary month are as if not more important to those that use the parks.
This is the month that pet owners are urged to get their pets spayed and neutered and take other steps to make sure your pet remains safe in your home and at the dog park. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that six to eight million cats and dogs end up in animal shelters every year. Please spay or neuter your pet and discover what you can do to take part in Responsible Pet Owner Month
Besides spaying and neutering your pet to reduce pet overpopulation and improve their temperament, follow these other guidelines for not only February year-round:
- Train your dog; this is extremely important. The Number One reason for dogs ending up in shelters is behavior problems. By training and socializing your dog you can greatly reduce the chances of your dog ever getting lost or ending up in a shelter. This should be a first step before coming to the dog park, please ensure your dog is trained. The parks can be a great tool to train your dog but they should not come unless under basic voice command, the basic first level of training whether by yourself or at a trainer is recommended with sit, stay, and expecially come practiced.
- Make sure your pet has up-to-date identification tags on his collar. Check them every once in a while, as pets (dogs especially) do have a tendency to lose their tags. It’s also important to make sure the information on the tag is up-to-date. In order to use the dog parks, a permit is required – yes, required - it may not always be enforced but out of respect and courtesy for the access given us, please comply. A permit is only $25 for a dog per year and $5 per additional dog if more than one. In order to obtain a permit your dog must be licensed. These steps ensure that dogs are up to date on vaccinations, and if lost can be more easily reconnected with their owner.
All dogs must be licensed, with proof of current rabies immunization, by your municipality in accordance with Wisconsin State Statute 174.07 and Milwaukee County Ordinance 29.01 before entering any Milwaukee County Park System Off-leash Dog Exercise Area. If you have questions about licensing your dog, please contact the municipality in which you reside. Municipality contact information is located at countyparks.com.
Failure to comply may result in fines (Wisconsin State Statute 174.15)You can get your dog license and dog park permits at MADACC.
- Clean up after your dog. Whenever you take your dog for a walk or to play at the park or beach, make sure you bring some bags to pick up after your dog. Needless to say, it’s very irresponsible and unhealthy to not clean up dog waste (aside from being against the law). This is an often ignored courtesy (and rule) and at the parks. The parks should have bags but don’t count on it. Come prepared just as you would for a walk with your own bags. Did you know that The 2012 Milwaukee County fine for not cleaning up after your dog is $200.50 – this law counts at the dog parks as well? If need be we will recommend it start being enforced at the parks.
It is recommended to give your pet plenty of exercise and feed a proper diet to protect against various diseases. The dog parks a great place to get the exercise for your dog. Please ensure the parks remain in place by being a responsible user. These and the other rules of the parks and general pet etiquette can be found here.
