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By walker on 8/14/2006 on walker's blog Should dogs be allowed off leash while on the trails? Have you ever been bitten by a dog while riding? This week in my podcast, I examine an emotional topic: Should dogs be required to be on least while on the trails, for the safety of mountain bikers and hikers? Want to get all my podcasts automatically on your mp3 player? Subscribe to my podcast here. |
Audio: The dogs on trails issue
T-CON says:
This is an issue that I wrestle with for many years. I have three dogs two of which ride with me on a regular basis. They obviously are fine with bikes and hikers or I would not take them. If a leash law exists where we are going to ride, the dogs stay at home. The last thing I want is to have a trail access issue because of a leash law. People should be responsible for their dog's actions and mature enough to know if they have the ability to control their animals. Unfortunately that is not the case and stupid people will screw everything up as usual. I have never had a major issue with other people’s dogs on the trail other than territorial problems when passing along private property or out on the road bike. That being said, this is probably because of where I ride, the attitude I take toward other dogs and when my dogs are along for the ride, other dogs either get the hell out of the way or we have a “meet and greet.†Like I said though, dogs in the world have reached a critical mass and are now an issue just based on shear numbers. And also on a whole people are stupid. This is a receipt for legislation if I have ever seen one. It sucks! |
walker says:
 Good points here! I onced talked to a dog owner who argued with me on this very strongly. She stated that it wasn't fair for dogs to be on a leash. I asked if she would be in to a compromise. She came up with a good one. All vets could issue a license for "voice command". If the dog, and dog owner, demonstrate voice command control, then they are given a special certification. Otherwise, the dog had to stay on a leash. I liked it! Walker T Off the road, on the mind... |
szedhr says:
 I like your little role-play! Yes, dogs on the trail can be scary. |
Anonymous says:
The problem is not the Dog, but the Owner. I happily ride miles and miles w/my dog off leash. When I see other Mtn Bikers, Hikers, Horse, etc... approaching I stop and hold my dog until they pass - Yes, I stop riding and take the initiative - wow, what a concept! My dog is not aggressive, but that does not matter. What matters is that I don't ruin someone else's ride. I made the choice to bring my dog, I take responsibility for her - Period! Doesn't matter that she's a great trail dog, that she ignores others, that she runs on the side of the trail and doesn't bother anyone. Dogs should not impede the trail for others and certainly never make someone feel threatened. But I also had a problem with someone else's dog recently. After completing a long ride, we were exiting the riding area, riding past a parked car, who also had a dog. This dog Charged out and ATTACKED MY DOG! The owner stood there and watched and took VERY LITTLE action to get his dog off of mine. How utterly disrespectful, disgraceful and absolutely unacceptable! He and his types are the reason we will eventually lose the freedom to take our dogs with us riding. And his dog did not attack my dog just once, but came back after her 3 times during this whole fiasco! And he never even apologized. So - it's not the dog that's the problem, it's the owner. Be Responsible if you take a dog on a ride. Take the time to get your dog off the trail for other users and control your animal - OR DON'T TAKE YOUR DOG! |
walker says:
Strong points here. I agree. It is a matter of responsibility! The fact that so many owners are responsible is encouraging. But, and this is unfortunate, it only takes one bad incident to remove dogs from the trails forever. In Durango, we've had too many bad incidents! Walker T Off the road, on the mind... |
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