I run my dogs for an hour each day at the park, off-leash, in the designated dog exercise area of Discovery Green Conservancy, Houston's new urban park.  One of my dogs is a rescued lab who loves the water.  Last weekend after we ran in the dog area, I put leashes on my dogs and we walked around the rest of Discovery Green.  The lab headed directly for the pond where I let him sit on the first step in the water, while wearing his leash, so he could cool off.  A uniformed HPD officer quickly approached me and told me to "get the dog out of the water."  I asked "is there a problem?" as we were not bothering anyone.  The officer told me it was "against the law to have dogs in the water."  I asked which law we were violating and the officer replied "it's a Health Code; dogs cannot walk in the water because children put their feet in the water."  The law sounded bizarre, but I thanked the officer for letting me know about the offense and we continued with our walk around Discovery Green - not stepping in the water. 

My dog companions are completely vaccinated, spayed or neutered, licensed, micro-chipped, wear a collar and leash, and are completely under my supervision at all times.  In fact, Buddy and Mabel were invited by the United States Postal Service last week as "responsible canine citizens" to kick-off national Dog Bite Prevention Week at a press conference in Houston. 

On Monday I called the Mayor's office to inquire about the Health Code I was told that I violated; I was told to contact the Health Department.  I contacted the Health Department and I was told "there is no such law prohibiting dogs in water at a park."  I thought the HPD officer was simply confused and did not worry about the situation.

Today after our run in the dog park at Discovery Green we leashed up and walked around the park again.  A lab being a lab, Buddy headed directly for the pond.  I sat on the edge of the pond and Buddy sat on the first step of the pond in the water.  There were no people or children on either side of us.  The president of the Discovery Green Conservancy, Mr. Guy Hagsette, approached me and asked me to remove my dog from the water.  I explained there was some confusion about the law and that I found out there is no problem with a dog sitting in the water.  I explained that I checked with the City of Houston and there was no code violation.  Mr. Hagsette told me the City of Houston "does not make rules for the park; it is against park rules."  Being unaware of Discovery Green park rules, I asked about the rule I was violating and was told, "There is a sign with the rules posted at the front," of the park. 

Since my dogs and I enter the park from the back of the park where the dog exercise area is located, I had not viewed posted rules.  I thanked Mr. Hagsette for explaining the rules to me and we continued our walk - with Buddy not stepping in the water.

 I drove to the front of the park and did see posted rules.  There is a sign that says dogs must be on a leash outside the dog exercise area and that guardians are required to pick-up animal waste.  (I keep plastic bags in my pocket when we are at the park for just this reason.)   There is no posted rule concerning dogs walking in water.  I scoured the Discovery Green website for complete park rules and again found no mention of dogs being prohibited from walking in water.

I completely understand that some parents might be concerned about children being around dogs unknown to them.  I also understand that some people are afraid of dogs. A guiding principle of Discovery Green is to provide green open spaces for people to enjoy nature in the city.  In a large city, dogs and cats are a big part of nature and that interaction.  Especially in downtown Houston.  Plus, demonstrating responsible guardianship by having trained, collared, leashed, neutered, vaccinated, and licensed dogs for people see and interact with, if they so choose, is a great example for children and other animal guardians.
 
Instead of developing blanket animal un-friendly policies that go against the park's intended purpose, why not designate one corner of the pond for people and their leashed dogs to enjoy?  Discovery Green could clearly post the designation so that all people, their families and their dogs, can continue to enjoy Discovery Green.  The media could create great positive publicity and even more popularity for Discovery Green by welcoming human and canine citizens alike!

Share your concerns about Discovery Green Conversancy policies that do not welcome animals with:

Mr. Guy Hagsette, President
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney
Houston, TX 77010
Ph 713-400-7336

so that this new Houston landmark will promote healthy relationships between people and animals.