Rules of the Paw Park of Historic Sanford, Florida
- NO CHOKER CHAIN-TYPE COLLARS ON DOGS WHILE INSIDE THE PAW PARK: A dog died because it was wearing this collar (read more about why they are not allowed in this park by clicking here).
- NO ANIMALS
OTHER THAN DOGS ARE PERMITTED IN THE DOG PARK: This park
is designated for the use of people and their dogs; no other animals are allowed.
- NO DOGS UNDER
FOUR (4) MONTHS OF AGE ARE PERMITTED IN THE DOG PARK: Puppies this
young are susceptible to disease, even if they have completed all their puppy shots,
because it takes awhile for the shots to bestow immunity.
- CHILDREN UNDER
12 MUST BE CLOSELY SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES BY AN ADULT. (IT IS STRONGLY URGED THAT YOUNG
CHILDREN NOT BE BROUGHT TO THE DOG PARK FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. IF THEY ARE, THEY MUST BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO HELD
YOUR HAND AT ALL TIMES): You will help to prevent injuries by not allowing
your children to run or scream around the dogs. In
the confusion and the fun at off-leash sites, some dogs may mistake running or screaming
children for another playing dog or even a wild animal.
- NO FOOD,
TREATS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, STROLLERS, BICYCLES, OR CHILDREN’S TOYS ALLOWED IN THE
DOG PARK: While it is ok to have food in a people park, dogs will often
beg or fight over food. A child in a stroller is defenseless and face to face to most
dogs. This is a recreation park for dogs and their owners, not a
playground for kids.
- NO MORE THAN
THREE BEINGS* PER HANDLER ALLOWED (*DOGS AND/OR SMALL CHILDREN) You must be aware of your dogs whereabouts at all times to
prevent problems and clean up waste.
- DOG WASTE MUST
BE CLEANED UP BY DOG OWNERS (CITY CODE 4-42 (M)) This
is the single most important thing dog owners can do to help insure the ongoing success of
the dog park. We need to pick up after our
dogs and even pick up after others who did not pickup after their dogs. Leave the area cleaner than it was when you
arrived. It’s a small price to pay for
being allowed to enjoy this wonderful park with your dog.
- ALL DOGS MUST
BE LEGALLY LICENSED AND VACCINATED, AND SHALL WEAR A VISIBLE DOG LICENSE:
- DOG OWNERS MUST
BE IN THE PARK AND WITHIN VIEW AND VOICE CONTACT OF THEIR DOGS AT ALL TIMES: Do not
use the park as a babysitter for your dog or your children.
An adult owner must be there to keep an eye on their dog, in case it starts to
cause trouble or starts to get into trouble with another dog. You need to be in control of your dog at all
times.
- AGGRESSIVE DOGS
ARE PROHIBITED FROM THIS PARK AND DOGS EXHIBITING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR MUST BE REMOVED FROM
THE PARK IMMEDIATELY, WITHOUT DEBATE: If your dog is dog or people aggressive, do not
bring him/her to this park. Most breeds are
not aggressive unless the dog has been seriously abused for a long time or you raised
him/her that way. Be aware that dogs have
different play styles. Educate yourself on
dog behavior. Ask questions. A behavior that concerns you may simply be a
rambunctious play style. If your dog is
dog-aggressive and you want it to be able to enjoy the dog park, do not be afraid to
muzzle your dog. Many dog-aggressive dogs are
enjoying the Paw Park while muzzled. Muzzling
your dog while it is in the Paw Park is not cruel; you are protecting your dog, the
other dogs, and the privilege to use the Paw Park by doing this. It is better to be safe, than so very sorry.
- DOGS MUST BE
LEASHED WHEN ENTERING AND LEAVING THIS PARK AND DOG OWNERS MUST HAVE A LEASH IN THEIR
POSSESSION AT ALL TIMES: You must leash your dog until you enter the double gates and
close them. A dog which is off-leash is not under full control of its owner, and is at the
mercy of the environment, vehicular traffic, or other immediate dangers. Once inside the double gates, you may let your dog
off-leash. Leashed dogs may feel threatened
and growl or bark when off-leash dogs greet them. Off-leash dogs generally consider
themselves to be in neutral territory.
- FEMALE DOGS IN
HEAT ARE PROHIBITED FROM THE PARK: Simply put, bringing a dog in heat into the dog park can do no
good and can only create trouble. It is
recommended that all dogs using this dog park be spayed or neutered.
- PET OWNERS MUST IMMEDIATELY FILL ANY HOLES THEIR DOGS DIG: If your dog digs a hole, use the shovel that the dog park is equipped with to fill it. This will help keep the park safe for other users.
- DOG OWNERS ARE
SOLELY LIABLE FOR INJURIES OR DAMAGE CAUSED THEIR DOGS AND ENSURING THAT THEIR DOGS
DON’T ESCAPE THE FENCED AREA: Keep an eye on your dog.
Mischief can happen quickly, just like with human toddlers. Do not keep the park gates open, and watch for
dogs on the other side when you are entering or leaving, so that they do not escape.
- .
USERS OF THIS
FACILITY DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK. THE CITY OF
SANFORD SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANY DOG IN THIS PARK. The dog’s
owner is 100% responsible for any injuries inflicted by their dog. Prevent injuries by supervising your dog closely
at all times. If your dog inflicts an injury
to a human or to another dog, give your name and telephone number to the other dog owner
before leaving the area. Each dog owner is
legally and financially responsible for their dog’s behavior.
First-time dog park users should
consider visiting the dog park at non-peak times. Midday on Monday through Friday is
a good, off-peak time. Peak times are Monday through Friday in the early morning or
late afternoon until dark. Saturdays and Sundays are busy all day. The
first visit can be a little stressful for the novice dog park user (human and dog).
Ease that stress the first time by going when the park isn't so busy. Dogs need to
be around other dogs to learn how to socialize with them, the same as people do. A
lot of dogs who are family pets and have not learned social rules may have some trouble at
first. It may take a couple of tries, or even a few weeks of visits, before your dog
comes out of his/her shell. If you give your dog a little time, you may be
pleasantly surprised, even amazed, by the change, and you will have a healthier,
friendlier and more playful dog.