Survey Says Residents in Favor of Leashed Dogs in Cain Park

The results of a recent survey suggest local residents are in favor of lifting the ban on leashed dogs in Cain Park for a six-month to one-year trial period.

The Dog Project Committee conducted a survey in July asking residents how they felt about allowing leashed dogs in Cain Park. With 418 respondents, 68 percent said they were in favor of the trial period, 23 percent opposed, 8 percent undecided and 1 percent did not answer the question.

Of the 418 responders, 58 percent owned dogs and 42 percent didn’t.

The committee’s eventual goal is to lift the city’s ban on dogs in Cleveland Heights parks.

Kerri Whitehouse, who is a member of the Cain Park Neighborhood Association and chair of the Dog Project Committee, said the survey results are a good sign.

“I was pleased with the results. … I know there were some informal polls done by some media outlets. And this was pretty close to those results,” Whitehouse said.

Whitehouse said the committee will conduct additional research and make a proposal to Cleveland Heights City Council with greater detail about how the pilot project would work.

Whitehouse believes the committee is leaning more towards suggesting a one-year trial period over the sixth-month period because it would allow them to gather more data. The committee is aiming at a possible Jan. 1, 2013, start date for the trial period.

Also in the survey, people said they believed having dogs in the park reduces crime, attracts residents, promotes quality time and social opportunities, while objecting to waste in the park, aggressive behavior and dogs running loose. The full report is included with this article in the PDFs section.

As for creating responsible dog ownership, respondents thought bag dispensers rated as the top answer with creative signs coming in second.

Do you think the city should consider lifting the dog ban in parks during a six month or one year trial period? Tell us in the comments.