That dog
owners are as legitimate as any other special interest group, and that their needs should be taken as an integral part of the city's decision making process.
Watching your
dog interact with other canines can turn an afternoon into a fascinating lesson in pack
behavior. The best place for this interaction is a "dog
park." These parks are fenced areas set aside for
dogs to meet and play under the watchful eyes of their owners.
With more
and more municipal parks prohibiting dogs off leash, it becomes more difficult to find a
place
where your dog can stretch its legs canine style. Dog parks solve
this problem. If your community has
not discovered the benefits of accommodating its canine
residents, print out the proposal compiled by
DOG-PAC of Santa Barbara. It can be adapted for your
community.
Prepared for the Special City Subcommittee on Dogs
October 1997
City of Santa Barbara, California
Prepared by:
Dog PAC, SB
P0 Box 3716
Santa Barbara, CA 93130
(805) 563-2773
Table of Contents
|
Topic I. Purpose II. Overview III. Dog Ownership IV. Dogs in the Community V. The Santa Barbara Community VI. Concerns with Off-leash Dog Areas VII.
Dog PAC, SB Recommendations to
the dog
VIII. Future Considerations IX. Endnotes |
Page
Number 3 3 4
7 |
The purpose of this
position paper is to clarify the needs of responsible dog owners for access to
public
open space, to improve the understanding of the benefits of such
access, and to recommend ordinance
changes that reflect principles that accommodate responsible dog
ownership.
Overview
The public open
space management environment has changed dramatically in the last twenty years.
The range of recreational activities in which people are engaged
has expanded while budgets and
resources have contracted. At the same time, conflict in public parks
appears to have increased
although not necessarily because of a higher incidence of problems. Dog
owners have not been immune
from these changes. Increased restrictions are being placed on their
use of public open space.
The benefits of
pet ownership are becoming clearer as more studies and case histories become available.
Pets are now being recognized for their physical and mental
health benefits, for their role as companions
and social facilitators, and in helping children learn responsibility
and how to share.
The field of
urban animal management has emerged to ensure that pets are appropriately managed
in the urban environment. The number and range of programs being
developed and implemented
reflects increased community, professional, and academic interest
in urban animal management.
There now exists a broader and more soundly based body of knowledge on
which to make judgements
about managing domestic pets as well as more effective ways of
disseminating new ideas and knowledge.
That dogs should
be allowed access to public open space is a basic premise of this position paper.
As a principle we believe open space access should be incorporated into
both urban animal management
strategies and open space/ recreation plans. In fact, such planning has
already occurred in dozens of
cities in California. 2 Undeniably, problems exist, but it has been
demonstrated that the benefits outweigh
the disadvantages. Unduly restrictive access policies are inequitable
and likely to be counter-productive
in managing conflicts and varying demands.
The benefits of
dog ownership are becoming clearer as more studies and case histories become available.
Dogs are now being recognized for their physical and mental health
benefits, for their role as companions
and catalysts for human social interaction, and in helping children
learn responsibility (Annual Review of
Public Health, 1996; Psychological Reports, 1996). For many single
and elderly people a dog not only
provides companionship but often is the only source of home and
personal security. Beyond this, dogs
play a vital role working in society in numerous ways such as assisting
the handicapped and working for
the military, police departments, and search and rescue teams.
Why Dogs Need Access to Open Space
The benefits of
allowing dogs access to public open space are not self-evident and warrant closer
examination. It is important to understand that they apply not only to
dogs and their owners but also
to the wider community as well as to those responsible for urban animal
management.
The most obvious
reason why dogs need access to public open space is because of their popularity.
Dog owners are a substantial group of park users: a conservative
estimate is that there are 3 almost
29,000 dog owners in the city of Santa Barbara and approximately 17,000
dogs. For the county, these
figures are considerably higher, with an estimated 71,000 dogs and
122,000 dog owners. Other groups -
skateboarders, lawn bowlers, and hang gliders, for example - have been
given special consideration
in view of their unique park needs. The overwhelming numbers of dogs
and dog owners would seem
to warrant specific consideration for them as well.
The second
reason has to do with the link between open space for dogs and promoting acceptable
behavior from dogs. Dogs need to be properly socialized in appropriate
behavior (Canine Behavior, 1965).
They also need regular outings to reduce boredom and pent-up energy at
home. Access to a park close to
home is the safest and most effective way to ensure that owners
socialize their dogs and provide them with
on-going experiences in the outside world. This not only benefits the
dog and its owner but also neighbors
who are affected by unacceptable behavior at home, other park and
street users, and authorities responsible
for urban animal management.
The third reason
why dogs need access to public open space is for the positive effects it can have on
their owners. Owning a dog encourages people to exercise and visit
their local park. Taking a dog out
has also been found to stimulate social interaction with other people
(Journal of Nutrition and the
Elderly, 1996).
The final reason
is that a balanced approach to accommodating dog owners in public open space may
achieve higher levels of compliance by dog owners with relevant laws.
If dog owners perceive laws to
be unfair it may elicit a defiant rather than a compliant response from
dog owners - they may ignore the
laws in protest. If, on the other hand, laws are perceived to be fair
people will be more likely to voluntarily
comply. However, the impact of these programs can only be limited
without an access policy that is
perceived to be fair by dog owners.
Dogs in the Community
The entire
subject of urban and suburban animal management is so new that only those cities
expanding into undeveloped land have an opportunity to take advantage
of planning ideas that
incorporate recreational areas exclusively for dogs.
Cities like Santa Barbara, with in-fill
development only, must look to more creative solutions within the
boundaries of existing recreational
land. Several of Santa Barbara's neighboring communities have
established leash-free parks or
leash-free areas within parks. The city of Santa Barbara, with its
abundant parks, beaches, and trails
can surely find solutions that are equitable for all that use these
open spaces.
To this end,
creating leash-free open spaces for responsible owners and their dogs in existing
recreational
areas should be based upon the following premises:
That dog
owners are as legitimate as any other special interest group, and that their needs
should be taken as an integral part of the city's decision making process.
That
integrating dog activities with other park users allows for a more efficient and equitable
distribution of resources, whereas separation and restrictions concentrate potential
conflicts into
isolated areas, increasing the likelihood of overuse.
That dogs allowed to exercise
off-leash - running with other dogs, catching a ball, chasing a
Frisbee, or working at obedience training - are happier and healthier dogs.
That exercised dogs make better
next door neighbors than under-exercised dogs. Puppies
and dogs that get enough exercise through vigorous play are less likely to create a
nuisance,
bark excessively, destroy property, or learn anti-social behavior.
That in
an era when people are often reluctant or afraid to approach or converse with a
stranger, off-leash exercise areas bring people together and create a greater sense of
community.
That unduly restrictive
access policies are inequitable and likely to be counterproductive in
managing conflicts between law enforcement and the large number of citizens who own dogs.
Further, punitive leash laws generally result in non-compliance. If dog owners perceive an
ordinance to be harsh or unfair, it may elicit a defiant rather than a compliant response.
On
the other hand, if dog owners understand the reasons for restrictions relating to access
and
accept them as reasonable, they will be more likely to comply voluntarily.
That access to a public
park or beach close to home is the safest and most effective way to
ensure that owners socialize their dogs and provide them with on-going experiences in the
outside world.
That dogs provide a measure of security, both perceived and real, to single women and
elderly or handicapped persons who most often fall victim to crime in parks.
California City Dog Ordinances
Santa
Barbara's municipal code currently states that "No dog is permitted upon a street or
other public
place unless on a leash not in excess of six (6) feet in length
and under the immediate care and control
of the owner or other person having the care and custody
thereof." (Section 6.08.020(B).
Several
California cities have amended their ordinances to allow for off-leash areas by exempting
such areas from leash law requirements where the dog is under the
control of the owner. The task
of designating those parks which are off-leash, and creating
rules for such areas, is left to the
Department administrating the municipality's parks, or to the
City Council by resolution.
For
example, Santa Monica's ordinance states that dogs which are properly tagged and licensed
are allowed, without a leash, "on any duly designated
off-leash public park area... if the dog is in
the custody and control of a competent person." (Santa
Monica Municipal Code section 4.04.150).
Santa
Monica's general restriction against dogs in many locations in that city includes an
exemption
for "dogs in any area designated by Resolution of the City
Council for use by dogs if the person having
custody or control of the dog is in compliance with posted rules
governing the use of the designated
area." (Santa Monica Municipal Code section 4.04.160).
The city
of Davis follows a similar approach. Its Code defines a dog "at large" to be a
"dog off
the premises of its owner and not under restraint by leash
controlled by the owner or custodian
of such dog." The section includes the following exception:
"Dogs are not 'at large'... when they
are in public areas expressly provided and designated for
exercise; provided, they remain under
the control or direction of their owner or custodian." (City
of Davis Municipal Code section 4-9).
The off-leash areas are typically governed by posted regulations such as:
- Dogs shall be under voice control
- Owners or custodians shall carry a leash
- Aggressive dogs are not allowed and/or must be leashed
- Dogs shall not dig or disturb park resources
- Feces shall be immediately removed.
Other
cities take a more comprehensive approach by way of ordinance. Although the actual
designation
of those parks which shall be off-leash is accomplished by
administrative decision or resolution, some
of the rules regulating those areas are set forth in the ordinance
itself.
For
example, in 1996 the city of Claremont added an ordinance establishing off-leash areas
which includes
specific rules as well as a waiver of liability. That ordinance
requires that
- Dogs must be under the care, custody, and control of a person age 13 or older;
- No person may have more than two dogs in the off-leash area at one time;
- All dogs must be under voice. control;
- Dogs which are sick, in heat, or aggressive are not permitted;
- Persons in charge of the dog shall quiet them if they bark;
- Persons in charge of the dog shall "promptly" remove litter (Claremont Ordinance
11.02.125)
In many
cities, dog owners police themselves, sometimes through official citizens groups.
The Sepulveda
Dam Recreation Area, in Los Angeles, for example, is policed by
the Dog Advisory Group, whose members
wear red tee-shirts and patrol the park for violations. It
also organizes dog-doo clean up days. A similar
organization helps maintain the Pt. Isabel dog park in Alameda
County.
The Santa Barbara Community
Santa
Barbara is a unique community known not only for its moderate climate and beauty but also
for
the diversity of cultures, races, languages, resources, and
opportunities. This city is a natural draw for
those who love outdoor recreation, and for those who own dogs,
it's ideal. Beyond this, the citizens of
Santa Barbara are committed to the humane treatment of animals,
dogs and cats especially, in a way
that is rivaled by few other communities. The City/County Animal
Shelter is a virtual "no-kill" shelter
staffed by volunteers that is now being studied by
communities around the country. In addition,
money generated through dozens of veterinary facilities, grooming
shops, pet supply houses, grocery
stores, boarding facilities, and obedience schools is in the
millions.
Concerns with Off-leash Dog Areas
There are
a number of potential concerns with the establishment of off-leash areas for dogs in our
community. In this section, a number of these
concerns are considered.
Dogs are a
danger to people using the park. Dog attacks are the most serious potential problem
and
there is always a great deal of interest in the issue. Though
attacks can occur against humans, other
dogs, and other animals, most dogs don't bite people or other
dogs (Domestic Dog, 1995; Canine Behavior,
1965). Dog attacks are more likely to occur in the dog
owner's home or immediate vicinity than they are
in public open space. In one study of aggression in dogs it was
found that from 65% to 93% of dog
attacks occurred in or near the dog owner's home (Poderbercek
& Blackshaw, 1990). According to the
Journal of the American Medical Association (January 22, 1997),
the vast majority of dog bites occur
on a dog's territory. When dogs bite people who are off the dog's
property, it is usually the result of
a lack of supervision or ignorance on the part of the owner.
Attacks that occur on private property
typically happen when a dominant, protective, or injured dog is
not adequately supervised. These
triggers are not present when a dog is in the neutral territory
of a public park.
Without wanting
to underrate the seriousness of dog attacks in either the private home or public open
space, they need to be kept in perspective. People are concerned
about dog attacks but the extent to
which the mass media amplify isolated problems out of proportion
needs to be questioned. We need to
understand how the triggers to aggression vary in different
settings and avoid simplistic management
mechanisms.
Laguna
Beach has had off-leash areas for over two years with no claims. The Sepulveda Dam Basin,
which is
the largest off-leash area in Los Angeles, also reports no claims
or litigation over dog incidents.
At least
one reason for the lack of claims is legal: the "dangerous condition" immunity
from public liability
probably relieves the public agency of liability, especially for
the acts of third parties using the public property
(Gov't. Code section 830 et. seq.; Jones v. Czapkay (1960)
182 Cal.App.2d 192).
Nevertheless, the City should take precautions to protect itself (and the taxpayers) from
potential liability. There
are several ways to limit liability, including:
A. Express assumption of liability and indemnification by users of the off-leash areas
This can
be accomplished by conditioning the issuance of dog licenses on an express indemnification
agreement, or by a "permissive use" ordinance change.
The city of Claremont chose the latter approach.
Its off-leash ordinance states in part:
"The
use of an off-leash area by a dog owner or other person having care, custody, or control
of that shall
constitute agreement by the dog owner and the person having care,
custody, or control of that dog to... a
waiver of liability of the city, and his or her agreement to
protect, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
city from any claim, injury, or damage arising from or in
connection with such use." (City of Claremont
Ordinance 11.02.125(E).)
B. Signage: Full and complete
signage, both advising visitors that the park is an offleash area and that
they use the area at their own risk, and advising dog owners of their assumption of
liability and hold
harmless agreement.
C. Insurance: Purchase a commercial
insurance policy specifically protecting the City from dog-related
claims.
Dog PAC, SB Recommendations to the Dog Subcommittee
Dog PAC
proposes that ordinance changes be made that designate specific parks and public areas as
appropriate for off-leash exercise and training of dogs. The
recommendation of particular parks is based
on four criteria: historic use, demographic data, diversity of
location and terrain, and appropriateness of
individual spaces for offleash dogs.
Dog owners
have enjoyed Santa Barbara's parks and beaches for generations, often exercising and
training
their dogs without leashes in these areas. One valuable byproduct
of this fact is that through their consistent
use dog owners have established areas where the off-leash
exercise of dogs is normative. Through a long
process of trial and error, dog owners have learned which
locations are appropriate - and which are not - for
off-leash dog exercise.
Factors
contributing to the establishment of "dog appropriate" areas are public safety,
dog safety, the
accommodation of multiple user populations, the variety of
terrains, and population density. For example,
due to heavy equestrian use and an abundance of snakes, dog
owners have typically not exercised their
dogs at Parma Park. Similarly, locations such as Hale Park are
too remote for the bulk of dog owners in
Santa Barbara and parks with high-use recreational or playground
facilities are not viewed as ideal for dog
exercise. Thus, there are many lessons to be learned from the
historic dog use patterns of Santa Barbara's
public areas. These lessons should be treated as a resource in
determining which parks are appropriate for
off-leash exercise of dogs. Doing so will facilitate a smooth
transition of public areas and make public
education efforts easier, introducing minimal changes in the park
system in general.
In a
survey of Dog PAC members, such historic use data were collected. Members were asked to
list the
parks where they most often took their dogs for off-leash
training, socialization, and exercise. It is important
to note that while these data are indicative of Dog PAC members,
they may not be generalizeable to the entire
dog population. Table 1 summarizes the responses.
Table 1.
The top 20 city of Santa Barbara public parks and areas most frequently reported as used
for
off-leash exercise of dogs [data from survey of Dog PAC members].
Name of Public Area Ranking of Use of Area
| Arroyo Burro Beach | 1 |
| Douglas Family Preserve | 2 |
| Mission/Rose Garden | 3 |
| Mackensie Park | 4 |
| Las Positas Park | 5 |
| Area Hiking Trails | 6 |
| Own Neighborhood | 7 |
| Oak Park | 8 |
| Leadbetter Beach | 9 |
| La Mesa Park | 10 |
| Shoreline Park | 11 |
| Alameda | 12 |
| Mesa Lane Steps | 13 |
| Andree Clark Bird Refuge | 14 |
| East Beach | 15 |
| Chase Palm Park | 16 |
| Franceschi Park | 17 |
| Parma Park | 18 |
| Sunflower Park | 19 |
| Pershing Park | 20 |
The
American Veterinary Medical Association calculates that 32% of California households have
dogs.
A recent Gallup poll found that 45% of homes in the United States
have dogs, with over half of the
households in the most heavily dog populated states of Texas and
California having at least one dog.
Thus, estimates of the percentage of households with dogs in
California range from approximately one-third
to one-half. Combining these estimates with U.S. Census data,
this translates to a conservative estimate
of approximately 122,000 dog owners in Santa Barbara county. 4
The estimated number of dog owners in t
he city of Santa Barbara is 29,000, with approximately 17,000
dogs currently living within the city limits.
Such large
numbers of dogs and dog owners require an open space plan that recognizes the potential
effect of a large number of dogs and accommodates their special
needs appropriately. Simply put, dog
owners need open space for off-leash dog exercise in a fair
proportion to their numbers: this would translate
to between 32% and 50% (between 18 and 28 of the city's 55 parks)
of Santa Barbara's parks and open spaces.
Diversity of Location and Terrain.
Among the
considerations that must be taken into account when determining which parks and public
areas are to be designated for the legal off-leash exercise of
dogs are the diversity of location and
terrain. Diversifying the locations of off-leash parks helps to
guard against dog overcrowding, to lessen
the impact of vehicle parking problems, and to enable more
members of the community to access a park
within a reasonable distance of their own home. Such
considerations are particularly important to the
elderly and to less mobile citizens.
Diversity
of terrain is important to dogs and to dog owners. All dogs do not have the same needs.
For
example, dogs bred to run (e.g., Greyhounds) need large open
spaces to do so. Dogs who are naturally
water dogs (e.g., Golden Retrievers) need access to water in
order to get proper exercise. In addition,
dog owners themselves have varying abilities to enjoy areas that
may prove physically challenging to
access.
It is not
reasonable to expect that all of these concerns - convenient access, diversity of
locations,
and variety of terrain - can be met perfectly for all community
residents. However, a strategy that
embraces the principles behind these types of access can go a
long way toward accommodating the
vast majority of dog owners.
One
effective strategy for accommodating dog owners' needs is to attempt to provide a
hierarchy of
open space options that provides dogs and their owners daily, regular,
and occasional use areas for
off-leash dog exercise and training. By doing so, we can take a
creative approach toward providing
park and public area access that considers the needs of dog
owners.
Daily
opportunities
should be scattered throughout the community. Daily areas are those that provide
everyone the opportunity to access an open, public space within a
reasonable walking distance from
one's home. Demographic data must be considered in choosing such
areas in order to ensure that such
parks are readily accessible regardless of where one lives.
Parks
providing regular opportunities may be spread more widely apart, perhaps within a
short drive or
long walk from one's residence. Such areas are intended to
accommodate dogs with special needs (e.g.,
especially active or water dogs that require large open areas or
water access) that may or may not be
readily available in one's own neighborhood. In this way,
regular areas accommodate a diversity of
terrains that may be required for different breeds and types of
dogs.
Occasional
use areas are non-typical areas where the needs of dogs and dog owners are more
heavily
catered to. Such areas might boast of specific resources (e.g.,
dog wash facilities) that accommodate
dogs and offer special services to dog owners. These areas
provide dog owners with quite specific
facilities for dogs that accommodate large dog populations.
In order to
identify the distribution of dogs in Santa Barbara, dog registration data were analyzed
and
sorted by the geographic indicator of postal zip codes. Such an
analysis provides a reasonably accurate
overview of dog population by geographic location which, in turn,
suggests where off-leash parks
should be located in order to provide dog owners park access
within a reasonable distance of
their homes. Figure I summarizes these findings.
Figure 1. Percent of Dog Population by Zip Code. [source: City of Santa Barbara, Animal Control data]
93105
93108
(27%)
(4%)
1 [county land too]
93110 -
93109
93101 93103
(3%)
(19%)
(26%)
(21%)
[county land too]
Figure I
reveals that dog ownership is relatively evenly distributed, especially when considering
the size
of the postal zip code areas. The apparent exception to this is
in the downtown area (zip code 93 10 1),
where there is a large concentration of dogs in a relatively
small area. In addition, it is worth noting that
3 of the 4 most heavily populated zip codes border the beach.
These data suggest that (a) off-leash dog
areas should be spread throughout the city in order to provide
space for dog owners living in all areas
and (b) a large proportion of dog owners could benefit from
off-leash, beachfront open spaces.
Appropriateness for Off-leash Exercise
All spaces
are not created equal. Not all parks and public spaces are appropriate for dogs without a
leash. Consideration for traditional park use and safety to dogs
are factors that make certain areas
generally inappropriate for dogs without a leash. For example,
the Andree Clark Bird Refuge is not
an appropriate location for off-leash dogs, given the potential
conflict with birds. As already mentioned,
Parma Park might not be the best choice for off-leash dogs in
view of the heavy equestrian traffic there.
Such considerations should be taken into account when selecting
parks and open spaces that are
dog-appropriate.
Based on
historic use, appropriateness for off-leash exercise, demographic data, and diversity of
location
and terrain, the following public areas are recommended as
appropriate for off-leash exercise and training
of dogs in Santa Barbara.
A. Parks and areas recommended as appropriate for off-leash dogs:
|
1000 Steps Alameda Park (south half) All hiking trails Bohnett Park Douglas Family Preserve East Beach Franceschi Park Hilda Ray Honda Valley Park La Mesa Park Mackenzie Park Mesa Lane Steps |
Mission /
Rose Garden Park Oak Park Ortega Park Pershing Park Rattlesnake Canyon San Roque Park Shoreline Park Skofield Park Steven's Park Thornbury Park Beach Area: the section of beach from the bottom of the steps of park to that point where the beach meets county property at Arroyo Burro Beach |
B. Parks and areas recommended as inappropriate for off-leash dogs:
|
Alameda Park (north half) Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden Ambassador Park Andree Clark Bird Reftige Cabrillo Ball Field / Pavilion Chase Palm Park De La Guerra Plaza Dwight Murphy Field Eastside N eighborhood Park Equestrian Circle Escondido Gould Park Hidden Valley La Coronilla Laurel Canyon |
Leadbetter
Beach Loma Media Los Robles Area Morton Bay Fig Tree Orpet Parma Park Pilgrim Terrace Rancheria Garden Spencer Adams Storke Plaza Sunflower Park Sylvan Vera Cruz West Beach Willowglen
|
Recommendations as to which specific places be established as legal, off-leash dog
exercise areas are
based on historic use, demographics, diversity of location and
terrain, and appropriateness. Considering
these factors enables us to take into account present park use
patterns, the needs of dog owners, the
needs of those who may not want dogs off-leash in parks, and the
safety of dogs. Establishing these
off-leash areas serves all members of the community by (a)
accommodating dog owners in an evenhanded
and balanced manner and (b) leaving the vast majority of parks
with leash requirements, in consideration of
those why may have a preference for leashed dogs.
It should
be noted that although Dog PAC, SB offers the above list of parks as those appropriate for
off-leash
dogs, it is not a list of our own members' preferences.
Reconciling the list of appropriate parks with those
where our members most frequently take their dogs will show that
we have attempted not to demonstrate
biases in our choice of parks. Instead, as stated, areas
recommended as appropriate for off-leash exercise
are based on which parks best address the needs of the community
as a whole.
The following issues are agenda items for future consideration for Dog PAC and this subcommittee:
• Dog PAC volunteer services - dog waste cleanup efforts in parks
• Public Education - consumer education regarding breeding,
spay and neuter programs, and
responsible dog ownership
• Dog licensing - currently only 25% of dogs in Santa Barbara are licensed
• In-service training for Animal Control - community relations resources
• Control irresponsible, commercial breeding practices and sales
1. This
document draws from text and information from A Guide to Integrating Domestic Pets into
New Residential Development, by Planning
& Development Consultants Harlock Jackson Pty Ltd.,
available through PETNET at http://www.petnet.com.au/
2. For
instance, some of the many places that have off-leash areas for dogs in California are:
San
Diego, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Los Angeles,
Venice, Napa, Sonoma, Berkeley, Santa Monica,
St. Helena, Huntington Beach, Davis, Laguna
Niguel, Claremont, Redondo Beach, Redwood City,
Santa Clara, Foster City, and San Francisco.
Other California cities with such parks are available
from Dog PAC on request.
3. The
following data were used in the estimation of dog and dog owner populations for the city
and
county of Santa Barbara:
Santa Barbara county
(a) Population: 381,401 [source:
1996 US Census data]
(b) Average Household Size:
2.84 [source: 1990 US Census data]
(c) Number of Households:
134,296 [source: calculation; (a / b)
(d) % of households with
dogs: 32%[source: American Veterinary Medical Association. Note:
this is the more conservative of 2 reliable estimates; a Gallup poll estimated that over
50%
of households in California have at least one dog.]
(e) Number of households with
dogs: 42,975 [source: calculation; (c * d)]
(f) Number of dog
owners: 122,049 [source: calculation; (b * e)]
(g) Number of dogs per
dog-owning household: 1.65 [source: City of Santa Barbara Animal
Control data = 1.33; American Veterinary Medical Association = 1.96; the mean of these
two measures was taken, although the AVMA estimate is likely much more reliable, due
to the sampling procedure. This yields a more conservative estimate, calculated as
(1.33 + 1.96) / 2]
(h) Number of dogs: 70,909
[source: calculation; (e * g)]
The City of Santa Barbara
(a) Population: 90,200 [source: Santa Barbara
News-Press]
(b) Average Household Size:
2.84 [source: 1990 US Census data]
(c) Number of Households:
31,761 [source: calculation; (a / b)]
(d) % of households with
dogs: 32% - [source: American Veterinary Medical Association. Note:
this is the more conservative of 2 reliable estimates; a Gallup poll estimated that over
50%
of households in California have at least one dog.]
(e) Number of households with
dogs: 10,164 [source: calculation; (c * d)]
(f) Number of dog
owners: 28,866 [source: calculation; (b * e)]
(g) Number of dogs per
dog-owning household: 1.65 [source: City of Santa Barbara Animal Control
data = 1.33; American Veterinary Medical Association = 1.96; the mean of these two
measures
was taken, although the AVMA estimate is likely much more reliable, due to the sampling
procedure.
This yields a more conservative estimate, calculated as (1.33 + 1.96) / 2]
(h) Number of dogs: 16,771
[source: calculation; (e * g)]
4. Please refer to endnote 3 for these and other demographic data.
…No choke chains; keep a buckle collar and tags on your dog before releasing it into enclosure.
…Bring fresh water and a drinking bowl.
…Take along plastic dog-doo bags and pick up after your dog.
…Bring some old towels to cover the car seat after the park.
Enjoy!
For more on dog parks, visit these sites:
http://www.thedogpark.com/
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/howto.html
http://www.dogpark.com/
http://www.dogfriendly.com/Parks/dogparks.htm
http://cnn.com/US/9804/30/fringe/dog.playground/
http://www.doginfomat.com/dogparks.htm
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/runs.html
http://www.petnet.com.au/openspace/frontis.html
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