Bare Cove Park Is Not A Dog Park

has posted new 2’ by 2’ signs at its entrances with rules and strict fines for dog owners who fail to control their pets.

Last night Hingham selectmen approved the signs which advise dog owners that they must carry a leash, pick up after their pets, leash their dogs between the parking areas and the yellow lines inside the park, and have their dogs in sight at all times.  Dogs who walk at the park must always wear current rabies tags,  should not disturb other park visitors and should keep off neighbors’ property. 

Violations to any of these rules will result in $50 fines, which are cumulative and apply to each dog.  All of the fines will be issued to the Town of Hingham.  Violators can only be fined by a Hingham Animal Control Officer or a Hingham Police Officer who the committee said makes random stops at the park throughout the week and weekends.

Patti Coyle, Vice Chair of the Bare Cove Park Committee along with committee member Tom Burbank were present  at the selectmen meeting to display the new signs which are larger and post stricter rules than the signs the committee which only read, “ Pick up your dog’s waste. Take it with you.”

Coyle said the reason for the signs were because there have been too many instances of bites, broken bones and other injuries to humans, dogs, and other pets and wildlife  at the Hingham Park due to uncontrollable dogs. She said she does not want a lawsuit filed against the town.

If the dog incidents continue, Coyle said dogs will eventually be banned from the park.

“Bare Cove Park is not a dog park,” Coyle said. “We can’t have broken bones, we can’t. We have to toughen the rules a little bit.”

Coyle said in the last few years, the number of dogs per person has become an issue at the park and owners have not been able to control them.

Bare Cove Park allows unleashed dogs to roam the park as long as they are insight of their owner and are within a range where they can be controlled by their owner’s voice.

“We’re insisting that owners bring a leash for each dog they bring…We believe the fines will make the bad dog owner pay attention,” she said.

Coyle said the new signs have been posted since mid-January and said they have already been working as no fines have been issued yet.

THE NEW SIGNS:

Bare Cove Park Is Not a ‘Dog Park’

Required to Walk with Dogs here:

• All dogs leashed between Parking Areas and the Yellow Lines inside the Park: $50 fine

• Dogs must wear current rabies tag: $50 fine

• Dog waste must be picked up and properly disposed of : $50 fine

• Owner must carry a leash* for each dog: $50 fine

*electronic collar is not a substitute

• Dogs must be under control and in sight at all times: $50 fine

• Dogs not allowed on neighbors’ property: $50 fine

 • or to disturb Park visitors or neighbors:            $50 fine

Fines are cumulative, and apply to each dog involved. Owners are personally liable for any damage or injury caused by their dog.