Every Sunday, Cubbon Park feels like Bengaluru collectively pressing pause.

The roads inside the park are closed to vehicles, runners take over the wide stretches of tarmac, walkers settle into their rhythms, and—on Sundays—dogs finally get their turn. You’ll see pet parents from across the city: locals, people who’ve moved here for work, families, first-time dog owners, and seasoned ones. It’s one of the few spaces where the city truly mixes.

I experience Cubbon Park in three ways: as a runner, as a pet parent, and as a friend to other pet parents. And it’s from this overlap that some uncomfortable truths emerge.

As a runner, I look forward to Sundays. Traffic-free roads, familiar faces, and the calm that comes from running through greenery in the middle of a chaotic city. But there’s also a recurring frustration—having to constantly watch my footing to avoid dog poop left behind. This isn’t just inside the park; it starts from the walk between parked cars and the entry gates. The annoyance isn’t with dogs—it’s with us humans who forget that shared spaces come with shared responsibility.

As a pet parent, my relationship with Cubbon Park is more cautious. I don’t bring my dog often. I worry about ticks, and more importantly, I know my dog isn’t the most friendly—towards other dogs or unfamiliar people. That doesn’t make him a “bad dog”; it just means I need to be aware of his temperament. Sometimes responsible pet parenting means choosing not to put your dog into environments that could overwhelm or stress them.

Over the years, complaints and conflicts have led to dogs being restricted to a small fenced area inside the park—the designated “Dog Park.” While well-intentioned, this space often ends up overcrowded, with dogs of all sizes, energy levels, and temperaments thrown together. Too many dogs, too little space, and too many humans assuming dogs will “figure it out.” In reality, overstimulation can quickly turn unsafe.

Dogs don’t lose access to parks because they exist. They lose access because of human behaviour. 

Leashes play a big role here. Even in dog-friendly spaces, a leash isn’t about control—it’s about safety, predictability, and respect for others sharing the park. A well-fitted collar or harness and a reliable leash can prevent uncomfortable encounters for both dogs and humans. (You can explore suitable leashes and collars here: https://www.talesoffur.com/collections/accessories)

As a friend to pet parents, I see all sides. Some Sundays I skip my run to spend time with friends and their dogs. Other days, I skip both and just soak in the atmosphere. What stands out is this: loving your dog also means protecting the spaces that welcome them.

Cubbon Park doesn’t belong to runners. It doesn’t belong to pet parents. It belongs to everyone willing to use it thoughtfully. If we want our dogs to continue being part of these shared spaces, responsibility can’t be optional—it has to be the norm.