The Quasi Off-Leash Doggie Park

Ignorance or Entitlement?

I would argue that it's common sense that dogs shouldn't be allowed to run off-leash anywhere, but much less in new baseball, football, and soccer fields but, as they say, there's nothing common about common sense.  An angry neighbor recently asked why I took this so personally to which I responded that my feelings are irrelevant... the only argument that matters is that IT IS THE LAW.  

San Bernardino County Leash Law (Code: 32.0108 Control of Animals) requires all animals to be restrained whenever they are on public property or unenclosed private property. (a) No person owning or having control of any animal shall permit such animal to stray, to run at large upon any private or public street, sidewalk, public park, playground, place of public assembly, or any other public place or upon any unenclosed private lot or other unenclosed private place or upon any private property without the consent of the owner or person in control thereof. Parkways, comprising the area between the street and sidewalk shall be included as private property for purposes of this section. ... (c) No person may lawfully bring his/her dog out of his/her property unless: (1) The dog is restrained by a leash and is in the charge of a person competent to restrain the dog; or (2) The dog is properly restrained and enclosed in a vehicle, cage or similar enclosure.

Ok, now, what if I tell you that the park where dogs are being allowed to run off-leash is closed-off by a chain-link fence?  ... that crossing it is considered trespassing?  ... for which the developer, Meritage (which, as of 02/06/26, has yet to turn over the park to the City of Redlands), threatened to us with arrest (even though, as responsible and conscientious dog-owners, my husband and I would never trespass and/or have our dog off-leash)? 

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