With the rising number of dogs and puppies now residing in the city due to COVID-19 and the lockdowns, shouldn’t we provision more off-leash areas? According to doggiespot.com.au Wentworth Park that links suburbs of Glebe and Ultimo is “off leash at all times, except sports fields when in use for sport”. However, there are “on-leash only” signs on the southern section of the park, which contains a shaded playground and a series of fitness stations as well as picnic tables, ample seating and water bubblers with doggie water bowl provisions. Rangers regularly visit this section of the park and threatening dog owners with $500 fines. Apparently because of the children’s playground and fitness areas, dogs can’t run free there, even though this section of the park is huge and dog owners always stay away from those areas. It is understandable that parents are concerned with safety of their children and it’s annoying if a dog is trying to lick your face when you’re exercising, but why not build a fence around the playground? Similar to the one in Sydney park? Apparently and according to one of the rangers, Sydney park is one of the rare exemptions where a playground is located inside an off-leash dog park. Why can’t Wentworth Park do the same? It is a well established fact that the planet is overpopulated and more young couples are choosing to have dogs instead of babies, why can’t we enjoy the park with our fur children just like other parents? Especially if you actually pay attention, for every child in the playground there are at least 10 dogs in the park. Furthermore, my toy cavoodles, for example, are being professionally trained and are accredited by mindDog.org (psychiatric assistance dog), they have never caused anyone (especially children) any harm and I make sure they stay away from exercise areas. Why can’t dog owners like myself freely enjoy the southern section of the park, where there is a shade from the trees and it’s away from the road, where doggie water bowls are provided? Why do dog owners like myself have to feel like a criminal and be in fear of a $500 fine every time they walk pass that section with my morning coffee and let my dogs sniff around off-leash? Why are we not allowed to manage our dogs with commands and cues instead of pulling on their leashes? Why do dog owners like myself have to be exiled to the less desirable section of the park, where there are no doggie water bowls provisions just on the off chance that there might be a kid in that playground? And with 5km radius it’s not like dog owners have that many options in the area. Dog owners pay council fees just like parents with children, why are we not allowed  similar freedoms and access to all areas of the park without the fear of prosecution? Have your say, People of Sydney!