Elitist Dog Run

Having two small dogs that hate the cold and rain more than anything limited my initial approach to this assignment, so I decided to do a little research on Manhattan dog parks/runs. With nearly thirty dog parks in the city, it seems a little crazy to pay a membership fee in order to let your dog run around, but that’s exactly what the Mercer-Houston dog run does. The run has been around for 26 years, has a “members only” policy, a list of rules that must be followed in order to become/remain a member, and a website to explain it all.

The website boasts that the run has 242 member families and that being a members-only run allows them to monitor about the health and safety of themselves and their dogs. Becoming one of these members seems like a bit of a daunting task. A new member must fill out an application and send it, a copy of your dog’s vaccination records, a New York state dog license, a release agreement form, and a check for $50 (for the annual membership fee) to the association. The site claims “As there is no longer a waiting list, after your completed application is reviewed, you’ll be contacted to arrange a convenient time for an orientation. That takes about 25 minutes and then you’re given your key and ID tag for your pup’s collar. That’s it!”

Anyone who isn’t you that may be bringing the dog to the run is required to sign the Dog Run Agreement/Release form and must review the rules before using the run. Bringing a dog that isn’t a member results in your membership being suspended for 30 days. A second “offense” results in a six month suspension. Membership must be renewed annually and doing this entails of sending all the forms, proof of vaccinations,and dog license, again.

Ever think you’d hear the words “Must be this tall to enter the dog park”? Well, at Mercer-Houston children under 12 are not allowed in the run and any kids between the ages of 12 and 16 must be 4’11” in order to enter. However, “after 16 years of age there is no height requirement” according to the website. You are also told not to bring your dog’s toys during the run’s “peak hours” (5:00-7:00 p.m.) and are to “ask permission” of other dog owners during other times.

Perhaps the most asinine rule of them all is the “15 Minute Rule”. This rule comes into effect when an owner feels their dog may show aggression towards another dog in the park. Should this occur, the owner can essentially kick everyone out of the dog park and they must leave within 15 minutes of the rule being called.

I love my dogs, but honestly, this is ridiculous. Some of the Mercer-Houston Dog Run’s rule are sensible, but it mostly seems like a bunch of neurotic owners who can’t handle the idea of releasing control. Let your dog be a dog.