Do Somthing About The Dogs At Guiffrida!!!!

[Chriss P]

I thought I’d take one of my relaxing hikes at Guiffrida Park as it was a nice day. But at the end of the hike as I was approaching the parking lot, I was dodging loads of dog doo. Unfortunately, my efforts were in vain as I finally stepped into a load of crap. Not to mention, as I was trying to clean my boots, I was swarmed by three large dogs two of which were soaking wet from their swim. Then two other dogs proceeded to take a nice fresh dump right near the entrance beyond the sign and next to the water and benches.

It is obvious the dog owners don’t care because no one does anything about this. I suggest someone from animal control get off their bottoms and get out there between 3:30 and 4:30 on nice days and sit in their car and watch these violations and fine them big time to pay for the expenses of having to patrol the area. THIS IS FREEKING DISCUSTING!!!!!!!

[Golden Gooch]

You are right when you say " it is disgusting " .From my side , I will keep doing this , bringing a pooper-scooper and clean up after my godson's dog each time I walk him .

[jma]

The City of Meriden feels that two animal control officers can handle the entire city. This is crazy!! I volunteer at a humane Society, and know how much work it takes to clean the kennels. The kennels at the pound need to be cleaned every day. That leaves ONE animal control officer to handle all the calls while the other is at the pound cleaning, caring for animals, and returning phone calls. There's no way any enforcement will take place at the park. In a city this large, we should have at least 4 animal control officers, and a few part time people to clean the kennels.
I've seen one of the ACO's at the park, (not sure which one he is), so I have to say they're trying. We should be blasting the City, not these guys!!

[eds]

Dog owners, instead of walking their dogs, just let them roam free and then they figure they do not have to pick up after them.

It would be ashame if one day their dog did not come home due to some unfortunate accident. But maybe then they will learn not to do that ever again.

[Chriss P]

Eds I was approached by a lady one day at the park looking for her dog that wandered off 2 days prior. She said the dog got loose while putting it in the car.

I've also found leashes tangled in trees in the outback knowing the owner was not their at the time it happened.

I've seen 3 or 4 signs for losts dogs at the park. And in one instance, a small dog was killed by a bigger dog not leashed and its memorial placed on the front bulletin board of the park.

The problems are quite large.

Thanks GoldenGooch for helping keep the parks and trails clean.

"The City of Meriden feels that two animal control officers can handle the entire city" For the expense of lighting Xmas lights in the day.........................

I just want people to know Im not a dog hater by any means; but were I come from 2 girls came down with the nastiest form of septic arthritis claimed from stepping in dog doo and since then have been adamant that dog owners should clean up their mess.

Not to mention the runoff in to the resevoir. Your emergency water supply.

[jma]

I've been told that this park is listed on some websites as a dog park, and therefore brings in many out-of-town people. I'd love to see the City fence in a large area below the dam as an off-leash area. That way the dogs get the opportunity to run free, and hopefully it limits the dog waste along the paths. Irresponsible dog-owners will probably never pick up the feces, but at least we'll have a better idea of where it is!!

[collie]

I haven't been up to Guifridda (what a beautiful park) to walk since this past summer but the dog poop situation is very noticable - large steaming dumps in the middle of walking paths, to be precise. This doesn't seem to be a problem at the Red Bridge walking trail - probably people wouldn't dare not pick up after their pooches, allow them off leashes, due to the high volume of people walking there. They'd get yelled at, in plain English. Good luck getting this kind of an issue addressed. It's too bad the City doesn't have a forum on their website for citizens to comment on such things. HAH!

[jma]

I think the difference between the two is that Giuffrida is listed on some websites as being a dog park. It attracks many people from other towns. That issue needs to be addressed. Put up a sign that explains that it is NOT a dog park, and all the normal rules and regulations are to be adhered to. I still believe that you can put up all the signs you want, but unless there is enforcement behind it, word will get out that they are meaningless. The city has only had two animal control officers for over twenty years. There is clearly a need for more enforcement, not only in the parks, but all over the city. The Westsiders neighborhood association has signs all over the place for the city's "pooper-scooper laws". I'd be interested to know when (if ever) a ticket has been given out!