Thursday, 4:30 PM
Dog-gone it! Boston ranks low in national canine poll
(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff file photo)
Dan Sullivan gave a ride to his pooch Yoda last January in the South End though Peters Park, which residents are trying to transform into a playground for dogs.
By Globe Staff
Patrons of the South End's dog bakeries and spas may be shocked, but Boston was ranked the fifth-worst large city in the country to own a pooch.
The unscientific study, published in this month's Men's Health magazine, tabulated the percentage of dog owners, number of pet stores, abundance of leash-free areas in parks, heartworm rate, vet practices, and more. Boston ranked 45th out of 50, a rating that some local canine advocates say may be a little unfair.
"I think Boston could do better," said Kara Holmquist, the director of advocacy at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "But I think you could make an argument with a lot of things that we are not the 45th worst city."
The Hub lost points for having the second-lowest percentage of dog owners, ranking 49th. Holmquist said the study relied on old data and that dog ownership has increased in Boston by 8 percent. The city also ranked low for the number of boarding facilities, veterinarians, and pet stores.
Taking umbrage at the suggestion that pets in Boston receive inferior care, Holmquist said quality always trumps quantity. She pointed to the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center, which is open 24 hours and staffed with cardiologists, dermatologist, and other specialists.
"I'm obviously a little bit biased, but it’s world renowned," Holmquist said. "I think if Boston could work on one thing, it’s more off-leash recreation areas."
The Men’s Health study found Colorado Springs to be the best city in the country to raise a dog. The top of the list was dominated by other western metropolises, including Portland, Ore., Albuquerque, and Tucson. Boston shared the cellar with Baltimore, El Paso, Jacksonville, Fla., Washington, and Detroit.
