By JULIA KISER
We are long-time residents of Hernando County and recently, happily, became dog owners again. It is perplexing to me why there are no leashed dogs allowed in any Hernando County parks. There is one “dog park” in the entire county, located in Spring Hill, Centennial Dog Park. I’ve gone there and sometimes I am not comfortable with the unleashed dogs my dog could interact with.
Pasco County and Citrus County have several community parks and wilderness areas where leashed dogs are welcome as long as they are licensed, vaccinated, and owners pick up any waste. I can walk our dog on the bike trails of Withlacoochee or the Veterans, but the pavement gets hot and I have to have my head on a swivel to look out for the cyclists. Plus, there are no bathrooms or drinking fountains. It is irritating to have to drive 20 miles or more if I want to enjoy the outdoors with my leashed dog. I cannot be the only dog owner in the county who feels this way.
It wouldn’t even need to be every, single Hernando County Park– it could be four, one for the east end, west end, south end, and north end. My top choice would be Tom Varn Park in Brooksville.
As our county becomes more and more urbanized, and it is… just look at all the outcry over large-scale developments underway here, why is there no consideration for the hundreds of responsible pet owners who would like to enjoy the amenities of this county with their pets?
I have a fenced yard, but I like variety and I think my dog does, too. Isn’t it time to reconsider the county ordinance forbidding dogs in Hernando County parks and pivot toward a pet-friendly county where we can enjoy all Hernando County has to offer, not only offer us, but our dogs, too.
