That guy who got tasered sounded like a tool! If he didn't want to get tasered...he should have complied with her. Anywho...interesting article! I would rather dogs be on a leash!

Of course you do, because you don't own dogs. A little empathy for dog owners would go a long way. People walk their dogs off leash when they are well-behaved, trained animals. Would you prefer that people keep their children on leashes too?

Catherine., how do you know Amy Jane doesn't have a dog? I have a dog and also prefer that dogs on trails be leashed, I have been "ambushed" by dogs not on leash when walking my dog sometimes with unpleasant results. Thier owners come along and apologize but it could have been avoided by having them on a leash. If your dog is well trained then it should also be leash trained. Other people sharing the trail may not like dogs or may be afraid of dogs, shouldn't we pet owners respect thier right to enjoy a hike in the outdoors. By the way the guy should have just waited for the ranger they are law enforcement officers.

Sean, I've been ambushed by mountain bikers on trails. As a runner, I'm sure there are times when hikers moving more slowly have felt I may have ambushed them, especially on narrow swaths of trail. The area where this incident took place was on Old San Pedro road. Of course vehicles are not allowed to pass through anymore, but it's hardly considered a trail. This is not a backcountry wilderness area; people in neighborhoods are adjacent. It is not intended to be managed like Yosemite or Yellowstone. Yes, the guy should have been polite and he should have followed instructions by the law enforcement officer. But law enforcement requires training and experience to deescalate even the foulest of loud mouths.

I think there's two things that would make life a lot easier on this rock we live on: Needing a license to reproduce. and Dog Owners who clean up after their fur kids. the rest of the worlds problems would get sorted in good time with these two simple fixs.

No dogs allowed. We live in El Dorado Co. and there is a leash law for dogs. No one abides by it with their dogs. It is ridiculous. We have actually had people watch their "friendly" dogs jump up on my son and scratch his face with nary a word. If I did the same thing to the dog, they would sue me. Not to mention the dog bombs the leave on the trail for others to walk in. Dog owners do not abide by the pick up law, leash law, or any other laws, why let them ruin the experience for the rest of us.

I am both a naturalist and a dog owner. I think it is terrible that people have to be so one sided (and antagonistic, come on, "Dogownerssuck" I don't generalize that all non-dog owners suck but you make me think that you might solely because of the moniker you chose). I think that there should be places set aside for both parties - dog free and dog friendly, and that people who choose to go to dog friendly places should, if they are dog free, understand that there are dogs there and what that might entail, and if they are dog owners should be responsible for their dogs (keeping them on leash if they are not well trained which includes jumping, not responding immediately to voice commands, and picking up after their dogs). I also think that people should stay on trail (unless signs permit otherwise) and pick up after themselves, too!

Let's be reasonable, dogownerssuck. How many times have you been cut off by another motorist? so, do all motorists suck? there's bad apples in every group. I've spent countless hours training my dog, and she's never bothered a soul. why should I be punished for the sins of the bad apples? there's got to be a reasonable compromise. plus, you see all those fat dogs out there? it's because they never get to run, because there's no place! how about a reasonable compromise to help dogs stay healthy? JustSayin.

here in michigan the law is that all dogs must be leashed and under the immediate control of the owner. I've been knocked down, scratched bitten and generally harassed by way too many---he's won't bother you...

I own a dog, always have. Having said that, taking a dog off leash into the wilderness is simply irresponsible. They don't belong there, they chase wildlife. One of the my worst experiences was watching a lady's dog chase Mountain Goats at near 14,000ft last year in a Wilderness area in Colorado.

Dogs should be leashed. Even well-trained dogs will run after wild animals. There are plenty of dog parks where unleashed pets can run free. National parks should be for the preservation of a natural environment. Bringing in unleashed dogs is the equivalent of introducing a non-native species into those natural environments.

I train my dogs for off-leash work since I do search and rescue with my canine partner. The leash laws around the state are for a couple of key reasons. 1. protection of the wildlife; many dogs are not under control and take off after the native animals. I can see where the leash is required. 2. protection of the dog; for those dogs that think they can take on the local wildlife, but when they run after a puma, then the dog will most likely get the wrong end of the game. If the dog can be under control, a leash should not be required. Now this can be a relative term, but who is really to judge. How about if confronted by a local officer, and the dog is off-lead, then the owner should have to demonstrate the control. If not sufficient, then the ticketing should commence. Otherwise, if the dog is behaving well, the officer should not have any reason to challenge the owner. I can be certain that I can stop my dog from going after the wildlife; she has been trained to ignore the rabbits, and other critters. I can keep my dog from jumping onto people. And, I truly do pick up after my partner and would carry the bag as far as needed, else I am quite capable of burying any excrement properly.

I love dogs - but many dog owners are irresponsible and spoiling things for the rest of us. If your dog jumps on someone, you may think that's "no big deal" but you're just proving how irresponsible and inconsiderate you are. When you allow your dog to do those things, you lose freedoms such as this one.

No dogs in national parks or forests. I go to these areas to see wildlife not your pet. Take your pooch to the city park if you want to play frisbee with it, but don't bring it in the national park to scare off animals and crap everywhere. They should only allow pets in areas where motorcycles/atvs are allowed. And the guy had it coming to him. He lied about his name, he was probably lying about his heart condition. Fine him $5,000 and banish from any national park for 10 years. And take his dogs too.

I live in an area where there are lots of parks, we have leash laws and signs posted for dog owners but no one seems to care. I have been scratched, dirtied and stepped in more dog poop than I ever want to. One day while walking I starting counting dog piles and in the first 100 yards I counted 12 piles, and as I got deeper into the woods I start seeing all the plastic bags that dog owners leave. I love dogs but getting run into, run over, scratched and bitten has really made me understand the problem and realize dogs need to be leashed. Those who follow the rules, thank you.

I live in an area where there are lots of parks, we have leash laws and signs posted for dog owners but no one seems to care. I have been scratched, dirtied and stepped in more dog poop than I ever want to. One day while walking I starting counting dog piles and in the first 100 yards I counted 12 piles, and as I got deeper into the woods I start seeing all the plastic bags that dog owners leave. I love dogs but getting run into, run over, scratched and bitten has really made me understand the problem and realize dogs need to be leashed. Those who follow the rules, thank you.

Absolutely on the leash, and I am a dog owner and lover. People do not realize the fine line between rights and responsibilities, and this is a classic example. Be glad you can take your leashed dog into an area where critical habitat and species are already being threatened by the human interlopers and flushing and further adverse behavior modifications are causing breeding stresses, etc. And I think the guy that attempts to evade, flee or otherwise ignore an officer placed there to protect the people and resources should have been tased. Granted the NPS does not have the best reputation when it comes to management and bedside manners, but they are there for a reason and have a job to do. Pretty arrogant to simply ignore the law and attempt to just walk away.

Here in the Midwest (northern Illinois, Wisconsin, upper Michigan & Minnesota), there are areas where it is permissible to XC ski, hike or mountain bike with your dog off leash. There are "incidents," but 99% of the time & for 99% of the dogs involved, these are places where people & dogs excise, interact, & socialize. Someone gave my dog some gorp, so I'll give their dog a cookie bone, drink of water, & scratch their "sweet spot." Dogs crap on the trail when they're on a leash, but they would prefer to go off into the woods. The places I go to without leashes have no poopie on the trail.

Dog owners and off road vehicle owners seem to have the same problem: a few spoil it for the rest. No dogs off leash for me.

Can we institute some leash laws for the humans? And for all those people complaining about my excrement...Have you sniffed your feces lately? Your poop is waaaaaaaay stinkier than mine, Mr. Big Mac. And I smell plenty of improperly disposed of human poop in the backcountry.

Sadly too often the problem is not the dog but the owner. I'm proud of the time and effort I've put to train my dog and she's well behave in all situation. I found that when she's on the leash because our lines and pace is different it's more difficult to go on the trail.

Sadly too often the problem is not the dog but the owner. I'm proud of the time and effort I've put to train my dog and she's well behave in all situation. I found that when she's on the leash because our lines and pace is different it's more difficult to go on the trail.

Dogs should be kept on their leash i NATIONAL PARKS beacuse IF they do escape they can interupt the process of breeding birds. thats just my point of view but i love dogs aswel

Dogs should be kept on their leash i NATIONAL PARKS beacuse IF they do escape they can interupt the process of breeding birds. thats just my point of view but i love dogs aswel

Dogs should NEVER be off leash unless it's in an enclosed area. Loose dogs attack other peoples pets and other people, harrass and kill native wildlife (especially in a park), injure themselves or run off and then rescue services gets called in at a whopping cost (hopefully this gets charged to the idiot dog owner not the taxpayer). I took horseback riding lessons at a state park that required no leashes, only 'verbal control' of your animal; and I can tell you for a fact that doesn't work. I didn't see one dog in months that responded to its owners verbal commands. I'm tired of dog owners thinking their fleabag is human and acting like they and their dog are entitled to special rights and privledges. And yes I have a dog.

Dogs should NEVER be off leash unless it's in an enclosed area. Loose dogs attack other peoples pets and other people, harrass and kill native wildlife (especially in a park), injure themselves or run off and then rescue services gets called in at a whopping cost (hopefully this gets charged to the idiot dog owner not the taxpayer). I took horseback riding lessons at a state park that required no leashes, only 'verbal control' of your animal; and I can tell you for a fact that doesn't work. I didn't see one dog in months that responded to its owners verbal commands. I'm tired of dog owners thinking their fleabag is human and acting like they and their dog are entitled to special rights and privledges. And yes I have a dog.

C