Thanks to the wonderful Marginal Revolution blog, I can bring you the story of Brookline's plan to charge dog owners for the privilege of letting their dogs run off leash. $50 for residents, $100 for non-residents, and exorbitant fees ($500/$750) for dog walkers.
So Brookline is trying to chase dog walkers out of town? I'm confused. What's the upside here? Not to go deep on economics 101 with you, but when you charge fees like this, all you wind up with is more illegal/black-market behavior. Good luck enforcing this as well. I'm imagining some fat Brookline fuzz waddling after dog owners as they quickly leash their pooches and scatter in all directions. Good luck with that.
There are other really interesting ways to ensure that dog owners pick up after their dogs and keep their dogs from ruining the experience for other park users. Brookline, get your head out of your ass.
Here's the original story on Boston.com
Phil was formerly a resident of Brookline, MA, and I look forward to his perspective in the comments.
Sorry, I would have commented sooner but I was busy dumping a garbage bag full of dog shit on the front steps of the Brookline City Hall.
ReplyDeleteThis is madness. I'm with SSJ in saying good freaking luck enforcing this and by the way, GREAT F'ING USE OF THE LOCAL POLICE!!!
When I get busted (not that I go to Brookline anymore, but for the sake of argument) can't I just always say that I'm visiting from out of town and didn't know? "Oh gee, I thought those signs were a joke."
I wonder which tight-ass city council member pushed this initiative through.
Anyway, I can tell you this much. Otis and I WILL be visiting Brookline and no, we will not be bringing bags.