Kansas City's second off-leash dog park opens in Swope Park

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some dogs strutted their stuff at the new Swope Park off-leash area Saturday.  The fuzzy pets enjoyed some run time and got to meet some other four-legged friends.

This is the second off-leash park for Kansas City, a fact that came as a surprise to one visitor, Ruth Laughlin. 

She brought her newest Labrador mix that she has only had since July 4 when she picked him up from the Kansas City animal shelter.  His name at the shelter was Malinko. but  Laughlin calls him Link.

“I didn’t even know we had one fenced-in place for doggies to run around and get to know each other.  So this is really nice,” Laughlin said.

The new dog area features a one-acre fenced-in area for small dogs and a four acre fenced area for bigger dogs.  It passed the "Link" test, which is good enough for Laughlin.

"I'm so impressed,” said Laughlin.  “I'm really thrilled that we have this in Kansas City.  I hope they make some more because this looks really good."

City officials cut the ribbon on the new off-leash pet area at 10:00 Saturday morning and area organizations put on a Pet Fair.  Attractions included the national Keep the L.O.V.E. Alive Behavior Express Tour 2012 bus, free behavior tips and behavior demonstrations. 

The pet fair was organized by Ceva Animal Health, the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) and  Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB.  Proceeds from T-Shirt sales went to Benefit Wayside Waifs & Other KC Area Shelters.