We, the undersigned residents and dog owners of Santa Fe and the surrounding areas, respectfully call upon the City of Santa Fe to reconsider and revoke the restrictive 8-dog limit imposed on community dog training classes held in public parks.

This policy, though well-intentioned, has unintentionally undermined an invaluable resource that serves our city’s many dog owners: the weekly Sunday dog training and socialization class led by Indigo Adakai of K9 Alpha Training at the Water History Park on Upper Canyon Road.

This class is a rare gem—affordable, consistent, safe, and effective. It has been operating responsibly for years and is led by Indigo Adakai, a certified professional dog trainer and law enforcement K9 handler with a background in training under Master Trainer Anthony Ramon of Santa Fe Working Dog Club. Indigo holds multiple professional certifications, including AKC CGC evaluator status, and upholds the highest standards of public manners and safety in his work with dogs and their handlers.

The class enforces strict on-leash policies and provides a crucial setting for socialization, behavioral correction, and public etiquette—tools that help prevent incidents involving aggression or poor control in public spaces. This is not merely a convenience; it is a public safety measure, a community support resource, and a training ground for responsible pet ownership.

Why this matters to Santa Fe:

• Santa Fe is a dog-loving city. As of recent estimates, over 60% of U.S. households have a dog, and Santa Fe’s population trends show even higher pet ownership rates. With limited affordable training options, community-based programs like K9 Alpha Training are essential.
• Training reduces bites and aggressive behavior. The American Veterinary Medical Association confirms that structured training and socialization are among the most effective ways to prevent dog bites and improve public safety.
• This class meets just once a week, for one hour. The space at Water History Park is shared respectfully and used with utmost care and responsibility. The presence of a single, well-run class once a week should not present a burden to any other group, especially one that uses this park and many other parks 6–7 days a week.
• Demand far exceeds supply. The 8-dog limit is drastically inadequate to meet the needs of Santa Fe dog owners. Enforcing it curtails access to a valuable public good and penalizes responsible dog owners and trainers alike.
• Public space is meant to be shared. If concerns arise from other user groups, the solution is not to restrict access to a once-weekly dog training class that promotes safety and responsible ownership—it is to promote collaboration and accommodation in the shared use of public land.

We propose the following reasonable solutions:

• Revoke the 8-dog limit of this class in consultation with certified professional trainers.
• Designate and promote time slots where such classes can take place without conflict with other recurring users of park space.
• Recognize and support programs like K9 Alpha Training that directly contribute to public safety, dog welfare, and harmonious park use.

The City of Santa Fe has an opportunity to lead by example—by promoting community collaboration over restriction, public safety over policy rigidity, and shared access over exclusivity.

Please stand with us in support of responsible dog training, community wellness, and the wise and fair use of our public parks.

Let’s keep Santa Fe a city where dogs—and their people—can thrive.