Biscuit Acres Reminder: The Park Is For The Dogs

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa's new dog park is urging pet owners to be more disciplined.  They say some are violating the rules and ruining what is supposed to be a haven for dog lovers. The park says the dogs have been behaving wonderfully, and they hope that rubs off of some of their unruly owners.

After the skies cleared Tuesday, Biscuit Acres, near 91^st and Yale, filled up with man's best friend.

"The dogs, they like to be around the four-legged critters once in a while, instead of being around two-legged critters all the time," said dog owner Chuck Tanner.

Biscuit Acres opened one month ago, and is Tulsa's second dog park.  Those who monitor the area say the response has been great, but not everyone has familiarized themselves with the rules.

Volunteers point out that all the rules are clearly posted at the entrance to the park, but they still say that some dog owners are choosing to ignore them.  While most are picking up after their pooch, and heeding other regulations, many parents are making the mistake of bringing kids to the park.

"Our dogs aren't allowed in the children's parks, but parents seem to think children can come in here," said Biscuit Acres volunteer Shirley Johnson.

"We want everyone to have a good time, but this is a park for dogs.  It's not here for families to have picnics, bring small children in," said John Benjamin with Biscuit Acres.

The danger, say volunteers, is that once dogs get off the leash, they tend to run in packs.  And while usually harmless, they worry that for a tragedy to occur, it would only take one child in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"A dog like mine could run over a small child and create a lot of damage. I just don't even want to think what could happen because he's big and powerful," said Biscuit Acres volunteer Shirley Johnson.

There are also no vicious or aggressive dogs allowed in the dog park.  Biscuit Acres says that law is also being broken on occasion.