Allegheny County hosts Dog Days of Summer parties at off-leash parks; Harrison Hills event scheduled July 18

The dog days of summer are looking good for area pooches.

They will be the guests of honor at Allegheny County-sponsored events in Harrison, Indiana Township and Monroeville.

The county’s Special Events Department is hosting a free, roving party for four-legged friends at Harrison Hills, Hartwood Acres and Boyce Park.

The themed parties will take place at each park’s off-leash section from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on these Tuesdays:

• July 18, Harrison Hills;

• July 25, Boyce Park;

• Aug. 1, Hartwood Acres.

County spokeswoman Amie Downs said the annual events are specially geared for pups and their owners. They will include music and giveaways of Frisbees, tennis balls, water bowls and waste bags.

“I think it’s great,” said Lindsay Ward, who frequents the new dog park at Harrison Hills with ZZ, her Shih Tzu.

“I was so happy that they finally opened the park up in our area. The fact that they have fun things is just icing on the cake.”

Several of the events will include a gourmet pet food truck owned by a former Tarentum resident.

Bentley’s Doggie Bistro, owned by Bill Rossey of Oakmont, sells an array of snacks, chew toys and other novelties.

“Everything is unique,” said Rossey, who previously served as municipal manager for Tarentum and Sharpsburg.

Since retiring from local government, Rossey and his 110-pound Bernadoodle have hit the road with his one-of-a-kind snack shack, offering treats that are organic, bacon-infused or dipped in salmon oil.

Over the past year, he has attended several county-sponsored events and local night markets.

He plans to roll into Springdale Community Day today along Lincoln Avenue.

Anyone who attends the county dog parties must adhere to a list of rules that include pets being licensed and owners being in control at all times.