After a woman was attacked by a dog in Nob Hill's Huntington Park, residents of the swank arrondissement grew heated over the park's leash law enforcement, or lack thereof. Before that presumably horrific event last November, park rangers, according to reports, were clamping down too hard on park revelers with dogs, even going so far as to chase one woman "out of the park and down the street, where the Park Ranger attempted to force his way into her home as she fought to close her door."
In an effort to cool things down, Supe David Chiu and city Parks and Recreation Director Phil Ginsburg want to hear your concerns over the Cujo-infested park. To the press release:
Three landmark hotels, an iconic church, the city’s most exclusive private club, and some of the most expensive apartment buildings in America all look down on it. But the small patch of land that is Huntington Park at the top of Nob Hill is becoming a battleground that belies the well-mannered wealth surrounding it. And the issue is over man’s best friend.On Thursday, Jan. 28, San Francisco Supervisor David Chiu and city Parks and Recreation Director Phil Ginsberg will listen to the various sides in the debate over whether the city is doing enough to enforce the leash laws at Huntington Park, or if it is doing too much, or if it should do anything at all.
The problem came to a head last November when an un-leashed dog bit prominent Nob Hill resident Marion Cope, sending her to the hospital for three weeks. Under pressure from Chiu, Ginsberg increased patrols in the park. Shortly afterward, some park users called Chiu complaining about overzealous enforcement. Thursday’s meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m., in Grace Cathedral will attempt to reach some consensus on the issue.
The community meeting is being hosted by the 82-year-old Nob Hill Association, one of San Francisco’s oldest community groups. Background information can be found in the San Francisco Chronicle at this link.
What: Dogs in Huntington Park, Community Meeting
When: Thursday, Jan. 28; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Grace Cathedral, Nob Hill, 1100 California
In related news, the SPCA has a few good pups (and cats!) looking for a great home. Be sure to read SFist's "Adoptable Pets of the Week," feature two lovable but lonely animals from the SPCA, every Wednesday afternoon.