In what could be a break through for area dog owners, the Village of Patchogue is moving rapidly to create a new dog park for local dog owners. According to the director of community development, "we have been wanting to do this for a long time. There is enough land for a dog park in Patchogue Village."

Gina Lewis, the organizer for the Brookhaven group, noted the village has several possible locations in mind, but it is looking for support from area dog owners. Dog owners need to demonstrate that there is a strong need and support for dog parks in the community, she said. Among the key points:

• Dog parks build strong communities of people who are dedicated to the parks and communities in which these off-leash areas are located.
• Dog parks benefit both dog owners and non-dog owners alike. By providing safe and legal areas for dog owners to exercise their pets, dog parks help prevent dogs from infringing on other park users.
• Dogs need exercise and socialization. Well-exercised and socialized dogs are good canine citizens.

The effort to build a dog park in Patchogue is just one part of a larger effort to create additional dog parks in Suffolk County including a substantial off-leash area in South Haven County Park in Shirley. That effort will need the support of a significant number of dog owners from Brookhaven and around Suffolk County.

If you want to help create dog parks in Brookhaven Township, visit
www.suffolkcountyunleashed.com, or email gina@suffolkcountyunleashed.com

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