The recent event at Southampton Village Dog Park has sparked much talk and it is time for Change.

Sign the petition for Southampton Village to take action and responsibility for the Village Dog Park. 

Southampton Village appointed a Dog Park Committee in January 2021 to oversee the Village Dog Park.  The committee members are Zoe Kamitses (chair), Susan Burke, Doug Browning, Marilyn Kirkbright, Mark Besca, and Renee Schlather.   

These members are not doing their job, and seem to be adding to the problem.   Any issues that arise and are brought to The Southampton Village Police are in turn given to the dog park Committee.  Southampton Village Police will not take responsibility, they forward the complaints to the committee.  Southampton Town animal Control reports are not forwarded to anyone. Unless you file a dog bite report, or report an unlicensed dog, Animal Control can do nothing.  They have no jurisdiction over the Village Dog park and are not responsible. 

The sign that states "use at your own risk" should not be a loophole incase someones dog gets injured.  Children are also discouraged from entering with a simple sign.  It does not exclude Southampton Village from responsibility. 

The sign that states "no aggressive dogs" is left up to the owner's discretion to enter the park.  There have been numerous dogs injured just by one dog in particular and this dog is still not banned from entering the dog park.  The second fence option was built just for this one particular dog.  This is not a solution to an aggressive dog entering the park.   This particular dog has caused injury and harm to many, and has never been stopped from entering.  All along with the knowledge of his capability from the Southampton Village Dog Park Committee members.  This dog is just one of many, however the most known since he is a repeat offender.  All complaints that were brought to the attention of the committee about this particular dog were swept under the rug. 

Please sign to stop Aggressive dogs from entering the dog park. There has to be an end to  Aggressive dogs repeatedly entering the dog park. 

Southampton Village Dog Park has numerous complaints and injuries to dogs or owners, that end without any resolutions.  Many complaints end with the dog park committee covering it up.  Someone needs to take responsibility for the Southampton Dog Park.  Someone needs to take responsibility and action on the complaints for dogs and owners.  We are asking Southampton Village to take responsibility and action.  

The Village Dog Park property is owned by Southampton Village.  The dog park is maintained by the Village Parks department, yet a committee was formed and appointed to oversee the park.  Southampton Village please make a change in who is overseeing the Southampton Village dog park, not a committee.

Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren and Trustees please make a change for the many concerned pet owners, for the owners that have not returned to the dog park due to injury to their pets.  We do not want to see our beloved pets hurt any longer.