Burning Bathroom and Running Dogs in Downtown Brooklyn

What do you want first, Downtown B., the good news or the bad news?

Ever an optimist, I'll run with the good news.

The dogs of downtown Brooklyn need a place to run and the Metro Tech Business Improvement District (BID) is begging to give them one, according to the NY Post. Good news for dog owners.

Every nabe around has a dog park. Park Slope has Prospect Park. Williamsburg has McCarren Park. Greenpoint has McGorlick Park. And the list goes on.

So, why doesn't downtown have a place for its doggies to play?

Four years ago, there were only 10 families in the 25-block area BID covers. Today, thanks to all the new hi-rises, there are 1,500 families. More families, more Fidos.

Two areas being considered for the park are McLaughlin Park on Jay and Tillary and a city-owned lot on Myrtle and Flatbush Aves, according to the Post.

There has been some controversy over dog parks. Places such as Leerburg Kennel say they are a bad idea. It states pack behavior and aggression as dog park problems. However, the ASPCA endorses dog parks.

The BID is taking its case to Brooklyn Community Board 2 this Monday. If downtown Brooklyn gets a dog park, it's up to individual dog owners to decide what's best for their pooches.

Now, for the bad news.

On Tuesday at 10 am, Mia Morgan lit up a trash bin in the ladies' room at Family Court using paper towels and a cigarette lighter. A witness turned her in. She was arrested and charged with arson and reckless endangerment, according to the NY Post. No word yet on why she did it. The fire-starter is 33 years old. And we worry about how our dogs behave in the park.

Till next time, Downtown B.

Sources:

"Dog Parks," ASPCA
Ed Frawley, "Dog Parks," Leerburg Kennel
Rich Calder, "Loud bark for Brooklyn dog run,"NY Post
J. Schram, L.Celona, L. Mongelli, K. Fleming and C. Black, "NYPD Daily Blotter," NY Post