The ultimate purpose of the low, green rolling hills outside of the new 8001 Woodmont apartments in downtown Bethesda has not been stated. One might imagine it as a gathering space for summer evening concerts, lunch hour picnics, or programmed events. But so far, the modest mounds' highest purpose has largely been as a public restroom and exercise area for neighborhood dogs. Not exactly the type of surface most people would want to sit on, or have their child crawling around on.
Now the building management is taking action. On Saturday, signs appeared on the grassy area that say, "PLEASE PROTECT OUR PLANTS - NO PETS ALLOWED." Residents of the building are allowed to have up to two pets, and pay a $50 "pet rent" each month for each pet. Pit Bulls, Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Dobermans, Chows, Catahoulas, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Akitas, Wolf Hybrids or any hybrid of these breeds are not allowed.
It being illegal for humans to purposefully defecate and piss on public trees, sidewalks, grass, etc. but legal for dogs to do so has never made any sense. If you don't have private property for your dog to do their business then you shouldn't own a dog. It's that simple.
ReplyDelete@ 3:20pm
ReplyDeleteThis is a terrible take. 1) Equating pets' behavior and that of humans is incorrect; 2) you're saying that poor people, or those who have chosen not to own a home, or even those that own condos, should be forbidden from owning a dog. I bet you're a lot of fun at parties.
That's why my dog Fifi conceal-carries a firearm and pepper spray, and just blends in. You don't want to try this on her.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why the signs say "protect our plants". Those mounds have always just been grass, perfect for dogs to do their business right by the lobby exit doors as they come out. Better there than on the sidewalks.
ReplyDeleteWill all mixed breeds animals be DNA tested to figure out what they truly are? Really- behavior is more important than the breed of pet. The only time I was but by a pup is a poodle went after my legs as I walked to the door of a shop. Are they now on the list? SMH!
ReplyDeleteAnother failure of the "Downtown Bethesda Plan" was an utter lack of creating space for dogs downtown. Every new building should have been required to create some small bit of space if the lot allowed it. The 7770 Norfolk, as an example, has a small dog area near the garage entrance.
ReplyDelete247: It's about liability. A little ankle biter bites your ankle. Large dog breeds can maul causing death or life altering events. Sheep dogs herd by instinct. Pointers point. Fighting dogs and large guard breeds have their own propensities.
ReplyDeleteLandlords have been held liable for dog attacks on their property.
What is the grass made out of gold?!?! Have all the dogs pee out there now! 😂
ReplyDeleteAgree with 2:47. I would much rather have a big, quiet dog next door to me than a small yappy one.
ReplyDelete@9:33 AM: Good one. Actually, the way things are going in Bethesda, it's only a matter of time before dogs get kidnapped at gunpoint. It happens in DC. It's coming here.
ReplyDelete10:16 DC police posted about a dognapping in the past week.
Delete3:39 pretending like there's some sort of constitutional right to dog ownership is hilarious. Of course if you can't provide something as basic as space for an animal to defecate then you shouldn't own said animal. How absurdly entitled someone must be to think having their dog poop on a public sidewalk or plaza is an appropriate thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess something like at least a quarter of residents in these new apartments have a dog. Dog ownership increased during the pandemic. The dogs have to relieve themselves somewhere.
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