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City of Lakewood promises changes after a dog was hit by a cyclist in an off-leash dog park

Tanner the dog was playing in the grass when his owner said a mountain biker plowed into him, causing his leg to crack in half.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Just around the corner from Julie Obreiter's house is the off-leash dog park she takes Tanner to about twice a day. 

But on Monday, Tanner was on his leash, because he can't run or jump for 6 to 8 weeks. 

"Yeah, Tanner was hit by a bike on Tuesday and snapped his front leg in half," Obreiter said to another dog owner in the park. 

Obreiter said mountain bikers crossing through the park is a common occurrence. 

The park is just off of West Alameda Avenue across from the William Hayden Park and many mountain biking trails. 

"If you're coming down from the top of the hill, the only sign indicating that it's an off-leash park is this sign right here," she said, pointing to the sign on the neighborhood side. 

After Tanner was hit, the biker helped carry him to Julie's house. 

She sent an email to her Lakewood City Council Member to try to help make the park safer. 

A city spokesperson said they found out about the issue from our calls and Obreiter's email on Monday, and plan to put up a sign on the Alameda side of the park "as fast as they can."

City staff and council members said they will meet to talk about ways to keep bikers out of the area. 

"Dogs should be able to be dogs in dog parks," Obreiter said.

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