Dogs left without open recreational areas in Rödermark - initiative faces criticism
In the city of Rodermark, dog owners are voicing their concerns over the high dog taxes they pay and the lack of designated off-leash areas for their pets. The breeding and nesting season in Rodermark, which runs from March 1st to June 15th, requires dog owners to keep their animals on a leash at all times.
The Rodermark Off-Leash Dog Interest Group has been advocating for the establishment of designated off-leash areas since a bylaw change at the end of 2023. Tanja Weerts, initiator of the petition, has expressed her frustration, calling the situation a "complete fiasco."
The petition, launched in March 2024, has garnered over 1,600 signatures. However, a year later, there are still no designated off-leash areas in Rodermark. The city charges one of the highest dog taxes (120 euros per year), but dog owners are left with limited options for exercising their pets.
The lack of off-leash areas is a topic of discussion among locals, with Peter Preisinger questioning why Rodermark has higher dog taxes but fewer off-leash areas compared to neighbouring municipalities such as Rodgau or Dreieich. The Federation of Taxpayers in Hesse has also recently highlighted the issue, calling for the dog tax to be abolished.
The absence of designated off-leash areas in Rodermark is a complex issue. Possible reasons include municipal budget priorities, a lack of suitable land, political or administrative hurdles, and concerns over noise, safety, or environmental impact. Without specific information from Rodermark's municipal government or local news sources, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for the inaction.
The Rodermark Off-Leash Dog Interest Group continues to demand a solution that allows dog owners to exercise their dogs in Rodermark without resorting to alternatives in other municipalities for a quarter of the year. As the debate continues, dog owners in Rodermark await a resolution to this ongoing issue.
Faced with high dog taxes and a lack of designated off-leash areas, the Rodermark Off-Leash Dog Interest Group advocates for a change in the city's landscape to accommodate diverse home-and-garden lifestyles and pet care needs. Among locals, there's a growing belief that other municipalities, such as Rodgau or Dreieich, offer a more pet-friendly lifestyle.
