By Nathan Duke
The Juniper Park Civic Association sued the Parks Department in April for allowing dogs to run free in city parks without dog runs between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Leaders from both sides of the debate said they will attend the hearing, which will take place at the Chelsea Recreation Center at 430 West 25th St. in Manhattan at 1 p.m.”We are fully ready,” said Bob Marino, president of the Manhattan-based pet owner advocacy group NYC DOG. “We have 50 speakers lined up and will have an awful lot to say. We may endorse (the proposed changes) fully or suggest changes.”In their suit against the city, Juniper Park argued that unleashed dogs endangered residents, citing two 2006 attacks against people walking their dogs in Maspeth.The State Supreme Court ruled against the suit in December and the city Health Department voted unanimously to allow Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe to allow the dogs to run off-leash during specific hours. Robert Holden, the civic's president, said Juniper Park leaders will attend the hearing but was skeptical of the outcome of the hearing.”For what it's worth, it seems like a done deal,” he said. “We think it's dangerous, obviously, and will continue to voice our objections.”Community Board 5, which covers Middle Village, Maspeth, Glendale and Ridgewood, recently submitted a letter to the Parks Department which voiced the board's opposition to allowing dogs off-leash.”The commissioner is not listening to complaints and resolutions,” said Holden, who sits on CB 5. “He is not respecting the community boards.”Councilman Dennis Gallagher (R-Middle Village) said he was unsure whether he would attend the hearing, but would likely submit written testimony to oppose off-leash dogs.”I think a dog running off-leash in a park represents a danger,” he said. “A pit bull went after my Shih Tzu and threw her. That wouldn't have happened had the dogs been on the leash.” Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
