Comments on: Slauson Middle School

By: Barbara Newell

Barbara Newell — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:45:30 +0000

My time to finally say “I’TS ABOUT TIME!” I am one of the P.E. teachers who has worked at Slauson since 1975, and personally, have sent in 2 letters to the editor when there was an Ann Arbor News (we also had the student council write one-I am talking years ago) and called the AA police. At a large cost to the AAPS, wonderful signs (3 large signs) were made and posted “NO PETS” and within a week all three had been torn down and stuff down the storm sewer and damaged beyond repair. You would be surprised at the number of people who walk their dogs (and some times let them run unleashed) WHILE our students are out there playing!! Lastly, about 15 years ago, I was playing field hockey with one of my classes and got hit in the hand and within an hour my whole hand had swelled up and one of our principals took me to urgent care, where I was informed that I had contracted a STAPH infection and my wedding rings had to be cut off!! There were NO piles of anything around, but the sticks were getting “infected” from the waste left on the fields!!! How about those soccer balls that get kicked into the woods where the dogs also go and the owners, I guess think, that because it isn’t on the field it won’t matter- I can’t tell you how many times the kids come out with “WASTE” on their shoes. They are NOT happy campers!
Sorry folks that walk your dogs here (and I used to have 2 of my own but never walked them there when I lived in the neighborhood!) but you are causing an unhealthy environment for our students and the neighborhood children who play there with other groups. And don’t think that with the snow coming that you can let your dogs run free there. YOU should smell it in the spring the first time we go out……..stop on by without your pooches and take a deep breath!!
Thank you to whoever contacted the police and got some action- it has taken us, as a school, too many years, with NO effect to get action. (And thank you, Trevor, for taking the photo!! I LOVED IT!!)

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:05:29 +0000

I gotta ask, has anyone consulted the Crest neighborhood about that idea? And there are management implications if on city land. Liability, responsibility, those things. If not a park (or even if is), maintenance issues. And who is buying the fence?

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

By: Matt Hampel

Matt Hampel — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 23:22:32 +0000

When I biked by that field at 8:25 this morning, it was filled with kids getting their (frigid) morning exercise. I don’t think it’s an appropriate dog lot. But as was noted on an earlier thread, there’s a fair piece of empty land just to the west that would make a great fenced dog playground.

By: Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 22:19:41 +0000

As a dog-owning Slauson parent, I’m not thrilled with having all those dogs making messes on the same field the kids play sports on. Even if owners pick up after their dogs, there are always remnants left behind–especially with a large number of dogs. (But I didn’t call 5-0 either.)

I suggest these dog-owners get organized and see about claiming that vacant lot across Crest for a neighborhood dog park. I believe it’s City-owned (not verified) and appears to serve no purpose what-so-ever. Just raise some money for fencing, volunteer to maintain it, and lobby Council for permission.

By: DrData

DrData — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:19:43 +0000

I don’t mind the police responding to a citizen complaint. I’m sure some neighbors are complaining. This would be a low priority call – lower than cars speeding through neighborhoods (higher) or a burglary in progress (even higher).

I wonder how many tickets had bogus names and addresses. Most dog walkers do not have IDs on them so how do the police make sure they are giving out tickets that are penalties instead of trophies to hang near the dog’s food dish?

By: Steve Borgsdorf

Steve Borgsdorf — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:24:40 +0000

Far more people attend the weekly dog romp than attended the Fall Forum with the mayor and city council candidates…this is what democracy looks like!

By: Jack F.

Jack F. — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:01:06 +0000

We have several serious robberies and assault cases and an arson death that remain open, but have plenty of police to ticket dog owners. No, it’s not the Mayor’s fault–then again, nothing is. he takes credit for everything, responsibility for nothing.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:24:29 +0000

@Jack F — that’s the caliber of comment I’m used to seeing at annarbor.com. It’s somehow the mayor’s fault that the police responded to a complaint call that you don’t agree with? Good grief.

By: Jack F.

Jack F. — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:11:04 +0000

“Slauson Athletic Field: 50 or more dog owners scattering in disbelief as police enforce leash law.”

Be sure to call the Mayor and thank him for this use of City resources. And this is what you all get for voting for him, those of you who were foolish enough to do so. Too bad there weren’t any arrests like the Punk Week. Lol.

By: DrData

DrData — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:27:53 +0000

The advantage of Slauson over a dog park is one can walk to it. I think the disadvantages of the dog gatherings are over-stated.

The norms in a group are to pick up after your dog. It is the lone dog walker who might look over his/her shoulder to see if anyone has observed the dog.

Finally, I live near a local elementary school and dog owners use the playing fields with their dogs, but never during school activities or practices. Dogs and fast moving children are not a good mix and I think most dog owners realize this.

That said, this recent ticketing will slow down the activity at Slauson for the rest of this weekend.