The Dog Park

This week we took a fun little trip to the Macon Dog Park that is located near campus. We were actually able to see it in use, because there was a girl there with her two dogs. They certainly seemed to be enjoying it. We learned that there are both positives and negatives to having dog parks, especially in a city like Macon.

Good Things About Dog Parks

*It can increase the sense of community, especially in larger cities where people may not have the opportunity to get to know others so readily. Going to a dog park allows you to meet people who have a similar interest to you (pets/animals).

*It can often clean up a bad community. Gangs and troublemakers are not going to want to "work" in an area that is highly populated/used by people, especially families. Having a dog park can act as a deterrent to people who could otherwise use that empty space for negative activities.

*It provides an open space for the dogs to run and play, so they are able to get good exercise and have time to interact and play with other dogs. Many people in urban areas like Macon do not have big back yards, so the dog park is the only place for their pets to really have space to play.

Bad Things About Dog Parks

 *It is much more likely that dogs who play in dog parks will be exposed to diseases, like worms or parvo.

*If the water source is connected to the city water source, then it can lead to water contamination.

Overall, I do think that dog parks in urban areas are a good thing. I come from a small town where they aren't really necessary, but I can definitely see how it would be important in a city like Macon.