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CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – New Castle is biting back against dog owners who consistently violate park rules, town officials said.
“Because of some difficulties we’ve had in Gedney Park with dogs and people who’ve been bitten, New Castle is actively enforcing our leash law in the town parks,” said Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter.
An Aug. 1 incident at Gedney Park in which an unleashed dog bit a town employee is what prompted Parks and Recreation chief Robert Snyder to seek the more aggressive enforcement.
“It has become increasingly apparent to me that the current dog regulations as they relate to the parks are not working,” Snyder wrote in a letter to the Town Board. “This is the third time in the last five years that a town employee was bitten by an unleashed dog.”
Snyder said he has seen dogs running without leashes, owners walking more than the maximum of three dogs, dogs digging holes in park ball fields, dogs drinking from public water fountains and bathroom sinks, and other infractions.
“The complete park rules are online at www.MyNewCastle.org and are clearly posted in the parks,” Carpenter said.
The following regulations are posted throughout New Castle town parks:
- Dogs are NEVER permitted in playground areas.
- Dogs are NEVER permitted on ball fields.
- Dogs MUST be under voice and visual control at all times EVEN when off leash on the trails in our parks.
- No one may walk more than three dogs at any time in any of our Town Parks.
“We encourage the safe and responsible use of New Castle parks by all of our residents, even our four-legged ones,” Carpenter said. “We’re not telling you you can’t take your dog to the park, we’re just telling you to be responsible when you take your dog to the park.”
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