BOSTON – Following an incident in April in which a four-year-old girl was bitten by an off-leash dog at Medal of Honor Park, or M Street Park, Council President Flynn and Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty will be hosting a community meeting in South Boston on Wednesday, May 10th at 6pm at M Street Park to address the issue of off-leash dogs.

Boston Police C-6 Captain Joseph Boyle, Boston Animal Control Director Alexis Trzcinski, and officials from the Boston Parks Department will also be present at the community meeting. The South Boston community is invited to attend and share their experiences and concerns. The meeting will also discuss potential solutions and enforcement to this serious issue.

“We all love our dogs and pets, but at the same time, we have many families with young children who use the Medal of Honor Park. It is important for their safety, and the peace of mind of parents and neighbors, that dog owners and dog walkers please keep their dogs on a leash to prevent these incidents from happening,” said Council President Flynn. “We also have a dog park located nearby right down the hill on First Street at the Thomas J. Butler Park that was built for this exact purpose. I strongly encourage dog owners and walkers to be a good neighbor and utilize this park for both the enjoyment of their pets, as well as the safety of our residents and children.”

“The safety of our residents and particularly our children is of the utmost importance and I implore dog owners to follow the leash law and utilize the dog park located on First Street.  Let’s start the conversation about the potential for another dog park or dog run in the neighborhood given the increasing necessity,” said Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty.

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and [email protected].

10 Comments

  1. AS Merrimac May 4, 2023 at 12:09 pm - Reply

    Why is it these sort of issues are only ever addresses after something very predictable happens?

  2. Shawn May 4, 2023 at 2:15 pm - Reply

    There are more than 150 posts on 311 over the past couple years complaining about dogs off-leash. Animal Control comes out, drives into M Street Park, and all the negligent dog owners immediately leash their dogs. It’s the definition of stupidity for Animal Control. The non-leashers are onto you. You need to park on your street, get out of your truck, and walk the park. You could easily fine up to $3K some days, especially since many non-leashers don’t pick up after their dogs.

    I live in South Boston and walk my dogs in the park 4 times a day. My dogs have barrier syndrome, which means that they’re frightened when an unleashed dog approaches them. I have yelled at non-leashers to their face and they don’t seem to care, like they have no soul, no reason to respect rules.

    A note to Ed Flynn for the May 10 meetingL: Brian a sound system. The last time we had a meeting at M Street Park (after a fatal motorcycle crash at N and E Broadway). we could not hear anyone.

  3. Alphonsus Roche May 4, 2023 at 6:12 pm - Reply

    Please remind dog owners that Butler park only one area is for dogs. The main park is posted no dogs allowed wonder if fine was posted at entrance for each offender. They laugh because there is no enforcement

  4. Dear Entitled Interloper: May 4, 2023 at 7:33 pm - Reply

    If your mangy mutt so much as breathes in my child’s direction, I’ll make steaks out if it.

    And you? Mincemeat.

  5. Sasha May 5, 2023 at 4:11 pm - Reply

    Mangy mutts? My dog costs more than your car. He’s got thoroughbred papers, I suspect you’’re a mongrel. M Street is a de-facto dog park. I’m amazed you have been allowed to reproduce with your troglodyte mentality.

    There are very few kids up the park, keep them in the playground so dogs can roam freely. Socialize your dog Roach so they don’t get barrier syndrome ( whatever that is). Dogs Lives Matter !!

    • Patty May 8, 2023 at 10:06 am - Reply

      there r a ton of kids up the park ever day and nite. plus y don’t u bring u dog to the dog park. it’s about half block away.

    • Joe May 11, 2023 at 7:29 pm - Reply

      THATS THE POINT! it has become the feds to dog park because you don’t follow the rules of leashing your dogs or picking up after them. Walk the extra 2 blocks to 1st to the DESIGNATED dog park!

  6. Bev May 7, 2023 at 9:03 am - Reply

    On Orton Field people think that is a dog park. There are signs posted and everything. They don’t care about the kid’s that play or are playing in the field. They think the dog’s are entitled like they are. IT’S FOR THE KID’S.

  7. Patty May 8, 2023 at 10:02 am - Reply

    been doing 311 regarding this matter. the dog owners now think they r funny. they let the dogs run around with the least still on them. so they just pick up the least when the animal control is seen coming from a mile away. this is a huge problem and a disgrace to the metal of honor park. the dogs dig holes and ruin it up there. I spoke to to Tom Lyons about this and still nothing been done.

  8. Theresa May 8, 2023 at 11:42 am - Reply

    Dorchester Heights is a National Park and now it’s become a free roaming dog park. Every evening between 4 and 7, there are at least 5-10 unleashed dogs running around. It’s a shame, it used to be a nice place to take a stroll in the evening without an unleashed dog sniffing you.

    No respect for the neighborhood or history!

    Maybe Southie needs more dog parks instead of condos and coffee shops, but the question is will the dog owner use the dog parks or continue to use any park they choose?

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