Reading Bill Melville's commentary in Suburban News "Dog Lovers must learn to live with leashes" made me wonder... "where have I been?"  Why don't I know there is a leash law controversy in Columbus. I have to admit I did not realize we did not have a leash law in Columbus.  I thought we did...

 I remember a comment c.1993 in Cup-O-Joe in German Village (I believe it was the only Cup-o-Joe back then?)  A beautiful golden retriever sat on the picturesque brick pavement... (I hope it is a brick sidewalk in front of Cup-o-Joe in German Village ... or is it a brick street? and cement sidewalk?  bear with me I am painting a picture... beautiful well behaved golden retriever, tall mayor, beautiful street in German Village, Cup-o-Joe sign... )  Someone commented about the then mayor not being subject to leash laws like the rest of us common people as he stood at the counter ordering...

It was enough to convince me Columbus had a leash law. 

The entries in the July 4th, Doo Dah parade about the leash law controversy would have made so much more sense if I knew of the controversy. 
 

And I call myself a dog lover!  My two dogs have always been subject to leash laws. My leash laws.  My dearly departed dog, Sox and my present pooch  Buddy were / are both beagle mixes.  They are not off leash dogs.   Buddy and I went to a non fenced "Dog Park" once.  I think both Buddy and I were stressed by it.  The friends who suggested the outing had a lab mix.  They weren't stressed. 

Buddy used to go to the Bark Park on Merchent Rd. in Delaware County.    Fenced!  Great place to run... but Buddy didn't really like all those other dogs, he did not really want to  mingle. Great place to swim... Muddy Buddy ran around the pond until his entire under carriage was dark with mud, but he would not swim.  He has never swam.  He enjoyed the people... he wanted to meet each and every one of the people. Get to know them.  Especially anyone with dog treats to share or people treats.   

Columbus Dog Connection has lots of info and links to Central Ohio "Dog Parks" (most are not public parks)
There are a number of them, Bark Til Dark Dog Park, Paws Park, Bark Park,  The Canine Companion Club,    
Alum Creek Dog Park, Westerville Dog Park,  Pooch Playground        

Columbus Dispatch on the Leash Law -News

Columbus Dispatch on the Leash Law -Editorial

 Copyright 2006 Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe