If you've been in NYC for some or all of #NewYorkOnPause and have a dog, especially a puppy, you know how challenging it has been to provide proper exercise and socialization for your furry best friend.

Forced to have your dog play on the sidewalk, close to traffic, leashes entangled in a web or around your pup's neck, risking getting a summons from the Parks Department for bringing your dog on an empty lawn to run off-leash for just a few minutes. All this stress while folks are not properly socially distancing when in small groups, even 10 people and under; Bikers speeding through pedestrian paths in the parks instead of walking them through with no summons or argument with the Parks Department.

Most New Yorkers have STAYED in the city during the pandemic and don't have the luxury of a large apartment or safe rooftop or backyard for their dog to run and play in, they certainly don't have the means to leave the city for greener pastures.

Please sign this petition to reopen the dog parks ASAP! These animals need exercise & fresh air more than humans do, they need to socialize with each other. Dogs are not at a major risk for COVID-19 and the owners will be responsible, masked, and distant (per usual at the dog runs, anyway). You can even limit the amount of dogs/humans allowed at once, but please open up the locks of all the dog runs. Let Fido run free!!