ohmidog!

 
Scores of dogs were unhooked from their leashes and frolicked in new-found freedom today as the long-awaited Locust Point Dog Park was officially opened – the first city-built dog park in Baltimore.

Not far from where the rockets red glared, and the bombs bursted in air, Mayor Sheila Dixon cut the ribbon and swung open the gates to the new fenced-in, off-leash dog area at Latrobe Park.

Pugs, Viszlas, retrievers, bulldogs, sheepdogs, boxers, pit bulls, Labradors and a motley mix of mutts then did what dogs do best: rejoiced in the open space.

“Who let the dogs out?” Mayor Dixon asked the crowd gathered for Locust Point’s Star Spangled Festival. “…Now we know the answer.”

Except for Canton Dog Park, paid for and built by a citizen’s group, the Locust Point Dog Park is — for now — the only other area in the city where dogs can run off-leash. The city is also looking at establishing off-leash areas during designated hours at four other city parks.

Use of both will require a special $20 license, available from Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS).

The park features an artificial turf hill, a giant tree and stump, and a sunken water trough in which dogs can drink and play. What did the dogs think of it?

Here’s a look:

(Photos: by John Woestendiek)