Dogs aid our health; tend to theirs
A 12,000-year-old human skeleton buried with his hand resting on the skeleton of a 6-month-old wolf pup is claimed to be the oldest evidence of the bond between humans and animals. More recently, rigorous research also supports the conviction of dog lovers that having a dog keeps them healthier and makes their life richer.
Studies find that people with dog companions tend to have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, require fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise and are less depressed. Walking with a dog rather than without increases social interaction, especially with strangers. And elderly individuals who had a dog or cat were better able to perform simple “activities of daily living.”
Based on estimates from the Larimer Humane Society, there are 21,425 households in Fort Collins that own at least one dog, and there are a total of 36,400 dogs in the city limits. These estimates were made using 2010 census data and a calculation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. To put those numbers in perspective, the dogs in Fort Collins could overfill the seats in Hughes Stadium (capacity 32,500) and are nearly six times as plentiful as the 6,190 bicyclists who commute regularly to work in our Platinum-designated Bicycle Friendly City.
The city of Fort Collins government respects that its residents love their dogs. Dogs are welcome on the 35 miles of trails and in the 875 acres of developed parks. But there are reasonable responsibilities that come with visiting these public places with your dog. Your dog must be on a leash at all times to avoid unintended harm to other dogs, people and wildlife. This leash law also protects your dog from injury, loss and exposure to unhealthy wildlife that can spread diseases like rabies, plague, tularemia and mange. The off-leash fine is $100 for first offenders.
Owners are responsible for picking up and disposing of their dogs’ feces at all times, and to make this task easier, the city provides compostable bags at the parks and on the trails. According to JR Schnelzer, head of the city’s parks department, in 2012 the city dispensed 784,000 of them at a cost of $8,635. There is also a $100 fine for not picking up your dog’s waste.
All dogs in the city and Larimer County must be licensed by the Larimer Humane Society and vaccinated for rabies, a fatal disease that dogs and humans can contract from wildlife.
For many dog owners, the poignant words of poet Mary Oliver in her recent book “Dog Songs” or the scientific advice of CSU’s Dr. Temple Grandin supporting off-leash play with other dogs, preferably in a wide-open area, resonate. The city has responded with the formation of three dog parks where dogs can run off-leash. These parks are located within Soft Gold, Spring Canyon and Fossil Creek parks and together constitute approximately 5 acres of land to roam. There are plans for more off-leash parks as new parks are developed (www.fcgov.com/parks/dog-park.php).
The city also organizes a wonderful annual event known as the Pooch Plunge for dogs to swim in City Park Pool. This year it occurs from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 1. Tickets can be purchased online now.
There are many things to do with your dog in Fort Collins that benefit your health and the health of your dog. Get out and get active!
Ragan Adams is a city of Fort Collins parks and recreation advisory board member.