by Ken Sands
Forest Hills is a beautiful, walkable neighborhood. During the pandemic, it’s been ideal for socially distant walking. More people also adopted pets as walking companions, so you’re more likely to encounter dogs on our streets and sidewalks.
As it became evident that Covid-19 is not often spread outdoors, and as most of our friends and neighbors have been vaccinated, the “socially distant” part of neighborhood walking has receded. Folks are chatting mask-free on the sidewalks again, while their dogs sniff each other with reckless abandon.
For most of us, this return to normality is a welcome relief.
But for our blind and sight-impaired neighbors, more people and more dogs on the sidewalks makes Forest Hills more challenging and even dangerous to navigate.
This dog is hard at work.
One Forest Hills resident, who wishes to remain unnamed, walks with her guide dog daily, sometimes with sighted companions who can point out the sidewalk hazards and can warn of approaching dogs. She also avoids the baseball field at Forest Hills Park, which in the mornings and evenings is often used as an unofficial and illegal off-leash dog park.
Despite the precautions, her German shepherd guide dog has been attacked and menaced by dogs in recent months. For a blind person, this is both terrifying and dangerous. During one attack, she was pulled violently to the ground and injured.
A harnessed guide dog – even a large German shepherd – also is quite vulnerable, and can suffer physical and psychological damage from an attack. It costs an estimated $50,000 to fully train these specialized working dogs, and they are protected under the law.
“I talked to the police after the last attack and they instructed me to call 911 immediately after any future incidents and they will take appropriate enforcement action,” she said.
What can you do to help?
First and foremost, make sure your dogs are on a leash and remain a safe distance away from any working dog. Never assume that your dog is friendly to service animals. (The harness seems to trigger some dogs.) Whenever possible, cross the street. If your dog barks, confirm verbally that the dog is on a leash and that you will keep it a safe distance away. Always announce yourself if you’re passing closely, if there is no safe way to avoid face-to-face dog contact so you and service-dog handler can determine the best, safest way to go. Do not speak to the service dog, or attempt to engage with it while it’s working. If the harness is on, it’s working.
If you witness a service dog and its handler being attacked or menaced, please assist in an appropriate way. It’s never wise to try to break up a dog fight, but you can help the blind person regain their bearings and control over their animal.
“If my dog is injured, I lose my eyes – it’s that simple. I, of course, also lose a loving companion as is the case for all loving dog owners, but it’s different with a guide dog,” she said.
Secondly, all homeowners should clear their sidewalks of vegetation, especially at face level.
Overgrown bushes and low-hanging branches inhibit accessibility, and not only for the sight-impaired.
Guide dogs are good at avoiding most obstacles, but can’t always judge what’s going to smack their handler in the face. Unfortunately, some sidewalks in Forest Hills are obstructed to the point of being dangerous.
So trim those bushes that encroach on the sidewalks, and trim those tree limbs that hover ominously. You probably take it for granted that you casually avoid such obstacles and may have never considered what it’s like for the visually impaired.
Livia Bardin says
Thank you for this story. Unruly dogs and sidewalk hazards are hazards not only for visually impaired people, but other pedestrains as well. Particularly concerning is the sidewalk in front of the Albermarle/Avalon at 4501 Connecticut. A narrow walkway, constricted in places by treeboxes to a one-and-a-half square width, is overrun by the prickly hedge that grows well out over the sidewalk. I’ve been trying without success to get the hedge pruned back to the property line for over a year. The rock-encumbered treeboxes that border the street-side edge of the sidewalk are not practicable for many of us older people. I’m grateful to the many thoughtful pedestrians who have gone into the street to make room for me to pass, but why can’t the sidewalk be made accessible? Appeals to the Mayor’s office and our local ANC have not brought action. Maybe someone reading this has an idea?
Amy says
I agree wholeheartedly about the bushes along the northeast corner of Albemarle & Connecticut. They are way too close to the sidewalk and essentially render half of the sidewalk useless. How have you been trying to get the hedge pruned over the past year? I’m guessing you’ve talked to building management? I’m curious as to their response. Wish I had ideas to help. Maybe Councilmember Cheh?
Paul says
All dogs should be leashed, under the control of the owner, and kept away from other dogs. Our dog has been attacked more than once in Forest Hills by loose dogs. Some dog owners walk around the neighborhood with their dogs off leash and act insulted when asked — from a distance — to put their dog on the leash. The paths along the Linnean and Broad Branch streams are especially prone to owners who seem to think it is a thrill for their dog to run loose and harass people and dogs on the paths. No one should ever assume their dog is gentle and will never be a problem for others.
Helen Urquhart says
Thank you for the article about the owner w/a guide dog. I have a SERVICE DOG. I am handicapped person, too. But my experience has been less terrifying. I’m aware of the possibilities of my dog being attacked by another uncontrolled dog. I do my best to avoid it….
Your suggestion about how to deal with the person with a GUIDE DOG is very helpful. Thank y
Mary Anne Anne Sullivan says
Thank you for this important article. Overgrown bushes are an increasing problem, all along Albemarle.. Another recent issue is scooters and rental bikes left mid-sidewalk. To all of our neighbors, please think about the hazards you are creating..