Dallas Dog Training, Houston Dog Training, Atlanta Dog Training News and Events

Welcome, Search_Engine!

Your Store is:
,
Directions to this location

Number:

Hours: 9am-8pm Mon-Thurs
9am-5pm Fri-Sun

Have a question for Man's Best Friend? Just ask Manny!

Your Email Address:

Type your question here:

News & Events

Cupertino council rejects resident petition to stop dog park survey this fall
09-04-2009

The issue of whether the City of Cupertino should allow a trial period for dogs ro run free in some parks became even more contentious Tuesday when one councilman referred during discussion about meeting the needs of all park users to a sign in a Bruce Lee film that said, "No Chinese. No Dogs."

"In the United States, we used to have signs that said, 'No Mexicans. No Negroes. No Dogs.' Do we really want to go back to that?" asked councilman Mark Santoro.

Councilwoman Kris Wang, who opposes an off-leash trial period took offense, asking Santoro to clarify his remarks.

"I'm saying we need to watch out for minorities,'' he said. " Let me be clear. The minority is not the dog. ... But the dog owners are people, they are citizens and they have rights and so they are the minority here.''

A citizen group, Cupertino Safe Parks, had asked the council to reconsider its July 21 decision to move toward having an off-leash trial period. The council Tuesday voted 4-1 against reconsideration, with Wang voting to reconsider.

"We failed to make a compelling argument. Which is unfortunate, but I don't think [the council] was willing to reconsider from the start," said resident Paul McNulty, who had filed the petition on behalf of the citizen group.

Wang said Thursday that she received several email complaints about Santoro's comments. But she and others downplayed reaction to his comments, believing he didn't intend any ill will and preferring to focus on the core issue.

Wang said she hopes emotions will calm after the city completes a survey of neighbors of various parks about their views on the issue. A trial period will begin only if more than half of those surveyed approve of the plan.

"I hope everyone can come together and accept the majority results however they will turn out,'' she said.

By Matt Wilson

DFW's Ultimate Best 2010 - Best Pet Training