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Huntington, NY: Not a dog-friendly community

With a current average rating of 33, Huntington, NY, is not a place that can pride itself on being a dog friendly community.

Dog-Friendliness Survey Results

Locale: Smithtown, NY Overall Average: 33 points out of a maximum of 100 (Higher numbers reflect greater perceived dog-friendliness.)

PART ONE. Interpersonal factors. Maximum = 15 Points. Average: 10 points

I.1. Is there an active and effective dog owners group in your community? (0-5 points) Average: 3 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 3 points

I.2. Do you have friends who are willing to dog sit, pinch-walk, search for lost dogs, and give moral and practical support? (0-5 points) Average: 3 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 3 points

I.3. When you walk your dog on the streets of your community, do people react negatively or positively to your dog? (0-5 points) Average: 4 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 4 points

PART TWO. Commercial factors. Maximum = 20 Points. Average: 10 points

II.1. Satisfactory veterinary services? (0-5 points) Average: 4 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 4 points

II.2. Does your community have sufficient dog day-care, kennels, spas, and pet supply shops? (0-5 points) Average: 5 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 5 points

II.3. Does your community have sufficient accommodations, restaurants and other basic facilities for people accompanied by dogs? (0-5 points) Average: 1 point Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 1 point

II.4. How difficult is it to find rental housing that accepts dogs? Do most places that accept dogs charge an unreasonable non-refundable deposit? (0-5 points) Average: 0 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 0 points

PART THREE. Access to public spaces and facilities. Maximum = 30 Points. Average: 3 points

III.1. Does your community have adequate opportunities for off-leash recreation? (0-15 points) Average: 1 point Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 1 point

III.2. Are there important public outdoor spaces (such as the downtown commercial district, parks, shore-side esplanades) that are arbitrarily closed to dogs, even on leash? Or are dog-accompanied people allowed equitable access to all public outdoor spaces except those with specific health, safety, and conservation constraints? (0-15 points) Average: 2 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 2 points

PART FOUR. Public policy. Maximum = 35 Points. Average: 10 points

5 points for each that apply: IV.1. Special municipal programs to recognize the importance of dogs in the community Average: 0 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 0 points IV.2. Public school programs to inculcate respect and affection for pets, as well as responsible pet ownership Average: 0 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 0 points IV.3. Absence of breed-specific legislation Average: 5 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 5 points IV.4. A municipal ordinance against continuous tethering and confining of dogs Average: 0 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 0 points IV.5. Public art and public events recognizing dogs Average: 0 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 0 points IV.6. A dog-friendly evacuation plan Average: 0 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 0 points IV.7. No-kill (or close to it) shelter, and fostering program Average: 5 points Respondent #001 (Michael M.): 5 points

Comments

Respondent #001 (Michael M.): The worst thing about the area I live in is that it has been extremely tough to get legitimate off-leash recreational areas established despite years of hard work by several dedicated people. We are also ticketed for trying to use the few areas we have found that are the least likely to interfere with other people.