Okay, so this might sound kind of wild, but hear me out.

I (29M) am a furry. My fursona is a golden retriever named Rusty. I’ve been part of the furry community for over a decade, and it’s a huge part of my identity and how I express myself. I’m not hurting anyone — I just enjoy bringing joy, playfulness, and some harmless fun into the world.

About two months ago, I started going to my neighborhood dog park in character as Rusty. Full fursuit — tail, ears, paws, the whole deal. I wasn’t trying to deceive anyone into thinking I was an actual dog (obviously, I’m 6’2” and upright), but I was just engaging in some playful interaction: chasing tennis balls people threw, flopping over in the grass and asking for belly rubs (consensually, of course — I only approached people who were smiling and clearly enjoying the vibe), and running alongside the dogs.

Kids loved it. Some adults thought it was hilarious. A few people even took selfies with me. It was all going great… until a week ago, when I was approached by a city park employee and informed that I was being permanently banned from the dog park for “disruptive behavior” and “misuse of a facility intended for animals.”

I was shocked and hurt. I wasn’t harassing anyone. I wasn’t endangering any dogs. I was just having harmless fun and connecting with the community. So I sent an email to the parks department asking for an explanation, and when they reiterated the ban, I told them I was considering legal action for discrimination. This isn’t about just a park — it’s about expression. If someone in cosplay or a mascot suit can go to a public park, why can’t I?

My friends are divided. Some say I’m right to stand up for myself and my community. Others say I crossed a line by treating a dog park like my personal playground and that the city is within its rights. I’m genuinely confused and hurt.

So… AITA for threatening to sue the city over being banned from the dog park for being a furry?

Edit: To clarify, I did not bark at children or try to “play fight” with dogs. I stayed respectful and mindful of boundaries. Also, the tummy rub thing only happened if someone clearly indicated it was okay — it wasn’t random or creepy.