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Dog-walking, dog-fouling and leashing policies in urban parks: Insights from a natural experiment designed as a longitudinal multiple-case study.
- Source :
- Landscape & Urban Planning; Sep2016, Vol. 153, p40-50, 11p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- In this natural experiment, we investigated on-leash and off-leash policies as plausible influences on the behavior of dog-walkers in the City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Following policy-mandated public consultations, two of the four parks initially proposed by the City as sites for new off-leash areas retained on-leash designations. Within a year of creating off-leash areas in two parks, we observed more dog-walkers and improved compliance with dog-fouling in one case, but not in the other. Compared to the previous year, we also observed more stationary dog-walkers in both of these parks. Paradoxically, activity levels amongst dog-walkers – including while dogs were off-leash – remained highest for a park that retained an on-leash designation. Off-leash policies in urban parks could have positive as well as negative implications for public health. In addition to off-leash policies, factors that merit consideration regarding dog-walking and dog-fouling include implementation strategies, physical features, socio-demographic characteristics and modifications to park environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- URBAN parks
PUBLIC health
DOG leashes
DOG walking
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01692046
- Volume :
- 153
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Landscape & Urban Planning
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 116186943
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.04.018