The H.O.T. Dog Park in Waco, TX is the town’s only off-leash dog park. It’s a place dog owners love to go and let their dogs play and interact with other pooches. They can get much needed exercise and leave happy and tired, just as any dog should be. Unfortunately, however, recent events have caused the impending closure of the beloved park. The park, managed by the Texas Animal Medical Center, has been suffering from terrible vandalism. It’s a free dog park now and the staff of TAMC mow the lawns, provide poop bags and other necessary maintenance.
Dr. LuAnn Ervin, the veterinarian who owns the Texas Animal Medical Center, posted a note at the park recently bringing some terrible news. With the recent vandalism at the park, someone had turned the water on and let the pipes freeze over – for the second time this winter. The clinic is unable to pay for these extra expenses and this will force the park to close its doors to humans and dogs, all because some individual can’t help but tamper with the facility.
But dog owners won’t allow this to happen. In fact, after seeing the note, one owner suggested starting a GoFundMe page to help pay for the repairs and any future expenses that crop up. Many of the owners have expressed serious concern about not having a place to take their dogs off leash. Many are concerned that living in apartments or with busy schedules, a simple walk around the neighborhood isn’t enough exercise for their dogs.
Thankfully, Dr. Ervin states that it’s unlikely the park will close permanently. If anything, they will make it a members-only park instead of a free park that anyone can attend. She did say the park may close temporarily, however, until they can find a solution to the vandalism and monitor individuals who enter the park with ill intentions as opposed to the dedicated dog owners just looking for a place to let their dogs play. Dr. Ervin asks that both her staff and dog owners to keep an eye out for people who are there for the wrong reasons.
You can donate to the GoFundMe page here. We certainly hope that a solution is found and these dogs have a place they can safely play!
