Locale: Portland, OR
Overall Average: 40.4 points out of a maximum of 100
(Higher numbers reflect greater perceived dog-friendliness.)
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PART ONE. Interpersonal factors. Maximum = 15 Points.
Average: 7 points
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I.1. Is there an active and effective dog owners group in your community? (0-5 points)
Average: 1.2 point
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 1 point
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 0 points:
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 3 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 1 point
Respondent #005 (J2): 1 point
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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: 2 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 5 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 5 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 1 point
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 2 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 3 points
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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: 3.8 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 3 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 4 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 3 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 5 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 4 points
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PART TWO. Commercial factors. Maximum = 20 Points.
Average: 15.2 points
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II.1. Satisfactory veterinary services? (0-5 points)
Average: 5 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 5 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 5 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 5 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 5 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 5 points
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II.2. Does your community have sufficient dog day-care, kennels, spas, and pet supply shops? (0-5 points)
Average: 4.6 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 5 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 5 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 4 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 4 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 5 points
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II.3. Does your community have sufficient accommodations, restaurants and other
basic facilities for people accompanied by dogs?
(0-5 points)
Average: 3 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 4 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 3 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 2 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 3 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 3 points
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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: 2.6 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 2 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 3 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 4 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 3 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 1 points
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PART THREE.
Access to public spaces and facilities. Maximum = 30 Points.
Average: 9.2 points
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III.1. Does your community have adequate opportunities for off-leash recreation? (0-15 points)
Average: 5.4 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 2 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 4 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 2 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 9 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 10 points
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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: 3.8 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 2 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 10 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 3 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 4 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 0 points
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PART FOUR. Public policy. Maximum = 35 Points.
Average: 9 points
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5 points for each that apply:
IV.1. Special municipal programs to recognize the importance of dogs in the community
Average: 1 point
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 0 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 0 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 0 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 0 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 5 points
IV.2. Public school programs to inculcate respect and affection for pets, as well as responsible pet ownership
Average: 1 point
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 0 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 0 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 0 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 5 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 0 points
IV.3. Absence of breed-specific legislation
Average: 3 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 5 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 5 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 5 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 0 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 0 points
IV.4. A municipal ordinance against continuous tethering and confining of dogs
Average: 0 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 0 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 0 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 0 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 0 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 0 points
IV.5. Public art and public events recognizing dogs
Average: 1 point
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 0 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 0 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 0 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 0 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 5 points
IV.6. A dog-friendly evacuation plan
Average: 0 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 0 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 0 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 0 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 0 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 0 points
IV.7. No-kill (or close to it) shelter, and fostering program
Average: 3 points
Respondent #001 (Marychris M.): 5 points
Respondent #002 (Judith L.): 5 points
Respondent #003 (K.T.): 5 points
Respondent #004 (L.F.): 0 points
Respondent #005 (J2): 0 points
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Comments:
Respondent #002 (Judith L.):
We have many dog parks and what is missing though, are trails where you can go with your off leash dog.
Respondent #003 (K.T.):
Portland used to be very friendly, with casual and unofficial off leash parks. One city commissioner took on the task of blanket restrictions of off leash dogs in parks based on 3000 "complaints", without once evaluating the nature of the "complaints". (Fortunatly, he lost the mayoral election.)
This simply polarized the city and emboldend those who can't see beyond the presense of a dog, well behaved or not.
Furthermore, a rash of dog poisonings, using an industrially regulated poison, were never adequately investigated while the prime suspect remained on the "Citizen's Advisory Board" commissioned to "address" the dog issue.
The restrictions have lead to significantly increased pressures on areas outside of the city, resulting in the risk of losing more venues.
Despite the city's stance, a significant part of the population are dog owners, and the general public, excluding those who now feel justified in venting their anger, are appreciative of dogs.
Respondent #004 (L.F.):
Not sure about part IV. I have a whippet so strangers are less afraid, but a few are afraid of any breed.
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