Bad dogs vs. worse cops in Redondo Beach

Everybody seems to have a problem with the law (only when they get caught) Laws are generally passed due to the few who screw things up for everyone else by being inconsiderate. It's nice to have parks without animal waste (urine & feces) all over the place. Unfortunately, it is the few that refuse to cleanup after their dogs that mess things up for those that are responsible. Next time you see someone not cleaning up after their dog...hold them accountable! When you let offending people not be responsible we all eventually pay the price!

Mr. Columnist! I like the sound of that. Just don't tell our real columnist, John Bogert.

Actually, I never advocate breaking the law. But I think some laws are dumb and I think other laws are needlessly enforced.

I take my dog to the illegal dog beach all the time. Nobody else goes down there and nobody minds. If I get a ticket, rest assured I'll whine aplenty about it, but I'll take my medicine.

The issue in Redondo Beach was, to me, a matter of courtesy. I would assume that I could bring my leashed dog to any park in the state. Outlawing them? Who heard of such craziness?

The person who brought their dog with them to Redondo Beach wasn't being a scofflaw; she just didn't know and assumed incorrectly. The police could have been a little nicer to her. Money is tight these days and getting hit for a $150 ticket for something you didn't even realize you were doing can ruin anybody's day.

The punishment did not fit the crime.

Ok Mr. Columnist, where do you draw the line on who can break the law? You do realize there are people that are deathly afraid of any dog no matter what the size? I know, I've worked with a few reporters on stories where even the tiniest of dog just freaked them out.

Redondo Cops are lame...

To ThreeDogsRuleMe... So It's okay that someone from out of the area gets a ticket for having a dog at a park, but you want to know what the fine is for having your dog off their leash at the beach - I HOPE you get caught and have to pay a big fat fine!!! What a hypocrite!!! Please do not bring your dogs for a romp anywhere in the OC!

Ridiculous of you to say someone must know all the laws before visiting a different city! You must have voted for that stupid law!!!

Well, that's ust stupid Diffuzhun.

The Mexico reference was a red herring. As if anybody would know where a dog came from.

But a growling pit bull? Hell, I'd arrest it myself.

So this person gets a citation for walking his/her dog; on a leash; with a "doggy bag" in hand. Giving the dog a bit of fresh air and exercise earns a $158 fine. And this cop turns around gives his permission to violate the law by locking the dog inside the car. I was not aware that police officers had the authority to apply the law as they saw fit. This was hardly an emergency situation.
If the city of Redondo Beach has so little crime that their cops have to go around looking for these kinds of "busts". Then maybe the city needs to trim down their P.D. and save the tax payers a whole lot of money.

It is a bit silly to not allow dogs in parks, but there are normally signs.

Hermosa allows dogs in their parks (on leash) and it is great. I think that since dogs are becoming more and more popular (even FEMA recognizes dogs in their rescue procedures now), cities need to wake up and realize that dogs are part of the community and allow them in the parks.

Redondo does have a dog park, but that requires most people to get into a car and drive to it. Walking to the top of 190th street isnt easy for most people or for small dogs. Using your neighborhood park helps you keep cars off streets and helps reduce traffic, pollution, etc.

I guess this is something to bring up to the council (not that it will get anywhere)

In reference to the letter writer, I do know that ignorance of a law is not an excuse, i.e. "I didn't know I was speeding." So you're an OC outsider with a trendy lap dog. What if it was someone from Mexico with a growling pit bull? The PD, any PD, doesn't legislate. They enforce the law. That's what they're paid to do. Besides, haven't you heard of dog parks? Why do you think they're in existence? BTW, thanks for the revenue.

That's too bad, but not much of an excuse. Kind of like when I heard about a kid from the South Bay who went to "the river" for a bit of fun and relaxation and was SHOCKED to find out that the narcotic laws were different when he stepped out on the other side of the river and found himself in Arizona. In other words, cuff-cuff and a little trip to the clink-clink rather than a ticket, the CA medical ID card isn't recognized in Sheriff Joe's territory. That was a criminal offense and a very pricey lesson, but at least he was a kid.
It's your responsibility to know the laws of places you visit, even more so when you are responsible for the safety of another.

I'd still like to thank the writer for informing me that I can freely take my dogs out for a romp in parks in Mission Viego!

BTW Josh, check to see if the fine would be the same for having a dog off leash on the beach. You'd be doing your readers a huge favor since it is soooo tempting to take my dogs out after reading of your adventures. Of course, hard core "doggers" know that if you take the dogs out when there aren't people using the beach and the dog seems socialized then most authoritative types actually smile at the recreation and the exhilaration (winter and early morn - never ever summer midday). It's when you blatantly parade any infraction that you'll see citations being written for most anything. Used to be able to sneak in that yellow light frame of stoplights before they put up the redlight cameras too!