Soon tickets started being issued at Azule Park, the stomping ground for Max and other dogs in the area. This has prompted some Saratoga residents in the area to start an organization called the Friends of Saratoga Dogs. The organization, which is still in its infancy, started as an email message board. Moderator Tom Barbaro said that there are already more than 20 dog owners on the list and more are signing up every day.

"We were upset about the way the law was being enforced. We were not hurting anyone," said Barbaro.

"We would like the city to give us dog-friendly hours at city parks. We are not asking them to spend money on a dog park. We are just asking for a little bit of time," he said.

Theuner, Max's owner, said that the organization had been formed so that the dogs could have a little time at the parks. "Dogs are social creatures. Like kids, they want to run around and need to exercise," said Theuner. "I love to throw a ball for them. Max loves to chase gophers and squirrels."

Both of them agreed that two hours before sunset at some city parks would be ample time for the dogs to play.

"Anyone who is not cleaning up after his dog should be ticketed," said Barbaro. He said that many parents bring their kids over so that they can play with the dogs.

"We have gotten along with all sorts of different groups. People understand dogs better when they interact with them," said Theuner.

Robert Luetz, a dog owner who lives in the same area, said that the Azule Park area used to be a place where neighbors could bring their dogs and get to know one another. "It was a place to network for area residents. It was a big family affair. All that has stopped," said Luetz.

Luetz was cited for having his dogs off-leash in Azule Park in July. He had to pay $182 for the citation. He said that sheriff's deputies had stopped by at Azule Park before and the understanding was that it was all right if the dogs were under control.

"I think it is a huge waste of city resources if they are going to spend their time ticketing dog owners," said Luetz.

Jim Schindler is another dog owner who was cited in July. He was at the park with his dog, Skipper, a black Labrador who is also a therapy dog, when a deputy arrived and gave him a ticket. "At that time there was almost no one at the park," said Schindler.

A few months later, Schindler was with his dog at a local church when a deputy arrived and told him about the leash law. "I indicated to him that we were on private property. He backed off quickly after that," said Schindler.

"This indicates that the city of Saratoga has too much money or too much time. I think it is very petty to hand out tickets for unleashed dogs," he said. Schindler, like other dog owners in the area, believes that if people are responsible for their dogs, the owners and others can co-exist peacefully.

The members of the Friends of Saratoga Dogs say that they will be approaching the city soon to talk about their problems and ask for time at city parks.

"I do believe that there is enough space here. The dogs need to chase balls and Frisbees," said Schindler.

The Friends of Saratoga Dogs is a Yahoo newsgroup; its user name is friends_of_saratoga_dogs.