Dog Attack At Tamaques Park, Westfield Looks To Beef Up Leash Law Enforcement

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield is looking at implementing stronger leash law enforcement measures after a dog attack at Tamaques Park.

"I was contacted by a resident who was understandably very upset about an off-leash dog at Tamaques Park that attacked and injured her leashed dog," said Mayor Jeremy Berman at the Tuesday Council meeting.

On Sunday at around 7:40 a.m., a man was walking his dog on a leash in the wooded area of the park when a dog off-leash ran up and went after the man's dog, said Westfield Police Lt. Michael Walsh.

The unleashed dog was described as a white fluffy dog who left a cut on the right ear of the leashed dog, according to Walsh.

The dogs were broken up, and the other unleashed dog's owner got his dog.

After a brief exchange, the resident left the park to return to his home, where he called the police.

"This resident did the right thing by calling our police department, who responded quickly and thoroughly in an attempt to identify and locate the resident with the unleashed dog," said Berman.

"Unfortunately, without the identity of the other owner, the police are not able to issue a violation for the leash law, which requires all dogs to be on a leash when not on a resident's property," said Berman.

The mayor said the town is now considering additional steps tied to leash law enforcement and public safety.

"In the interest of public safety, we expect all residents to comply with the leash law, and we are evaluating additional measures that can be implemented to prevent these incidents from happening in the future," Berman said.

The town is looking at "the possibility of increasing the violation fine from the current $50, placing additional signage in the park to remind residents of the leash laws and penalties, utilizing cameras in Tamaque's Park, and establishing an intermittent police presence in the area as our resources allow."

Berman also told residents what to do if they encounter an unleashed dog.

"If you do encounter an unleashed dog, please call the police department, who will take a report and if warranted, forward the information to the board of health as well."

He added, "And if you can safely do so, please take a photo of the dog and its owner as that documentation helps the police enforce the law."

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