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Ashland Boyd County Dog Park Rules
The Ashland Boyd County Dog Park is open to
all dog lovers and dog owners. The primary purposes of the dog park are to
create a safe, attractive area where dogs can run and play off-leash under
the close supervision of their owners and to promote responsible dog
ownership through education and recreation.
Why the Dog Park is Important...
Dog owners need a place to legally exercise
with their four-legged family members. Dogs aren't allowed in Central Park
or any park in Boyd County other than the dog park. The dog park provides a
safe environment for dog owners to let their dogs romp and play with other
dogs while not infringing on the rights of non-dog owners. Dogs need to be
properly socialized with other dogs and humans at an early age to be
well-behaved adult dogs. They also need regular "adventures" to reduce
boredom and pent-up energy at home. Access to a park close to home is the
safest and most effective way to ensure that owners exercise and socialize
their dogs and provide them with on-going experiences outside of their own
home. Dogs that are able to safely run, play ball, or practice obedience
training are happier and healthier. Furthermore, well-exercised dogs make
better neighbors. Dogs that are trained, socialized, and properly exercised
are less aggressive and less likely to bark, destroy property, and learn
anti-social behavior. A tired dog is a good dog! Furthermore, the dog park
will promote a sense of community. Dog owners will be able to exchange
information on pet training and health issues, and will be able to make new
friends with common interests. The dog park belongs to the community. For
the park to be successful, it is important that EVERYONE helps to maintain
the park's beauty. Please clean up after your dog, keep your dog's
vaccinations current, keep your dog free of internal and external parasites,
and control your dog's behavior.
The Dog Park is fenced, double-gated, and
supplied with dog-waste bag dispensers. The rules, which are clearly posted
on the fence near the gates, require dog owners to supervise their dogs at
all times and to pick up all dog waste. Dogs not displaying a current rabies
tag and dog license will be prohibited. Furthermore, dogs in heat will be
prohibited. The Boyd County Animal Control officers will be patrolling the
area and anyone failing to comply with the established rules of the park
will be ticketed.
A safe dog is a happy dog. Rules of the dog park...
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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
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No dogs under four (4) months
of age are permitted in the dog park: Young puppies are susceptible
to disease, even if they have completed all their puppy shots.
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Children under 12 must be
closely supervised at all times by an adult: 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 and screaming children for another playing dog or even a
wild animal. |
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Agility equipment is for dogs:
Children should not be allowed to climb on or under agility equipment;
this is a recreation park for dogs and their owners, not a playground
for children. |
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No food, treats, alcoholic
beverages, or children's toys allowed in the dog park: Dogs often
beg or fight over food; therefore, no animal or people food, treats, or
bones are allowed inside the park with the exception of small (no bigger
than a nickel) training treats carried by the owner.
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No more than three (3) beings
(dogs and/or small children) per handler: Each adult must be aware
of his/her dog's whereabouts at all times to prevent problems and clean
up waste. |
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Dog owners must clean up dog
waste: This is the single most important thing dog owners can do to
help ensure the ongoing success of the dog park. We need to pick up
after our dogs and even pick up after others who did not pick up after
their own dogs. Strive to leave the area cleaner than it was when you
arrived. It is a small price to pay for being allowed to enjoy this
wonderful park with your dog. Dog-waste bag dispensers and disposal
sites are located conveniently throughout the park. This rule applies
not just to the off leash area, but to all
of the property where dogs are allowed (the roadway, parking lot, etc).
Please place ALL litter in the trashcans provided. Litter can be eaten
by dogs and cause choking or digestion hazards, which can be life
threatening! |
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All dogs must be legally
licensed and vaccinated, and shall wear a visible dog license and
identification at all times: The Boyd County Animal Control
officers will be checking to make sure that all dogs at the dog park
are wearing a current rabies tag and license, each dog should also
have an identification tag on the collar. Spiked collars are not
recommended to be worn while dogs are playing. |
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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 in the park to keep an eye on his or her dog
in case it gets into trouble with another dog, each dog should be
under voice control. |
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Aggressive dogs are
prohibited from the park and dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior
towards humans or other dogs must be removed from the park
immediately, without debate: Do not bring a dog with a known
history of biting or fighting with other dogs or people. Be aware
that dogs have different play styles. Educate yourself on dog
behavior and be able to recognize the signs of aggressive behavior
before it is too late. Ask questions, talk to your veterinarian, and
talk to other park users. A behavior that concerns you may simply be
a rambunctious play style. |
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Dogs must be leashed when
entering and leaving the dog 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. 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.
Carry a leash for each dog with you at all times when you are in the
park. |
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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 it will only create trouble. It
is recommended that all dogs using this park be spayed or neutered.
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Dog owners are solely
liable for injuries or damage caused by their dog and ensuring that
their dog doesn't escape the fenced area: Keep an eye on your
dog. Mischief can happen quickly. Do not keep the park gates open,
and watch for dogs on the other side when you are entering or
exiting so that they do not escape. |
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No inhumane treatment of
dogs is allowed: No kicking, punching, hitting or poking with an
object. No slapping on the nose, face or head of a dog. Dogs should
never be left in vehicles on any day that is above 70 degrees or
below 30 degrees - not even for 5 minutes. |
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No heckling or harassing of
other park users: The dog park promotes a responsible, safe,
fun, friendly environment for dogs and their owners regardless of
the dogs' pedigree or lack thereof. All users of the park shall
treat one another with common respect and civility at all times
regardless of age, sex, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual
orientation or gender identity, physical or mental ability,
religious or political affiliation. |
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There is no attendant on
duty at the dog park. Users of the dog park do so at their own risk.
Neither the City of Ashland nor Boyd County shall be responsible for
any injury or damage caused by any dog in the dog park: Each dog
owner is 100% responsible for any injuries inflicted by his or her
dog. Prevent injuries by supervising your dog closely at all times.
Each dog owner is legally and financially responsible for his or her
dog's behavior. |
First time dog park users should
consider visiting the dog park at non-peak times. The first visit can be
a little stressful for the novice 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. Lots of dogs that are family pets and have not learned social
rules may have some trouble at first. Keep walking or playing with your
dog while in the park. This helps to keep the park neutral territory for
all. It may take a couple of times, or even a few weeks of visits before
your dog comes out of her or her shell. If you give your dog a little
time, you may be pleasantly surprised by the change and you will have a
healthier, happier, friendlier dog in the end. Let's all get unleashed
and ready to have fun with our four legged family members.
Donations for the maintenance of
the park can be mailed to:
Foundation for the Tri-State
Community
P.O. Box 2096
Ashland, KY 41105
Please indicate "dog park
donation" on the check.
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