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Show f Wed/Thurs/Fri, August 5-8, 2006 ark Record THE PARK RECORD BLOC Editor's note: The following opinions were posted on The Park Record Blog (http://parkrecord. blogspot.com/). Unlike our regular letters to the editor on the Viewpoint page, the writers are, for better or worse, allowed anonymity. Some have Been edited. Lash out at leash laws Man's best friend doesn't always appreciate being tethered to a slowwalking human - but when the alternative is getting a ticket, or worse, possibly being run over or shot, there doesn't seem to be much choice. Park City and Summit County are charged with enforcing local leash laws - how are they doing? Should- there be more enforcement, should the laws be tougher, or should dogs roam free? The following responses are a continuation of those printed in the Aug. 2 ediu'on. ^^f^^Rokch GoLfatw'ksoUn bk. Ted Ligeh) arid Ju- Anonymous said... As I see it, there are two questions posed here: 1) How is Summit County doing in enforcement of the current leash laws and could they be doing more? 2) Should the laws be tougher? Here is my take on things: 1) From previous blog entries, it sure seems that there is no lack of enforcement in the Old Town Park City area. I certainly can't speak for other neighborhoods in Summit County, but I feel that enforcement is seriously lacking in Summit Park. I also suspect that Summit Park is one of the worst areas for owners not abiding by the laws (leash, vaccines, registration, etc.). On any given day, an-Animal Control officer could take a drive through Summit Park and easily find several dogs running free. It's nearly impossible for me to walk my two dogs on a leash and not have an incident of some sort with a dog that is allowed to roam free. No, they are not just off-leash at the moment - they constantly roam free. The biggest annoyance is when one of those free-roaming dogs decides to follow me on my entire walk, Of course, I initially try everything possible to get the dog to stay home - no such luck. At that point, it has now become my responsibility to keep the dog out of road or risk watching it get hit, which would devastate me. When the dog is nearly hit by a motorist, they then glare or yell at me, assuming the dog is mine. Once back to my house, 1 then have to tether the dog and make an attempt to call the owner, IF there is ID on the dog. So. I guess my short answer to whether there should be more enforcement is "YES, definitely for Summit Park". 2) In some cases, I do believe the laws should be tougher. Some of you may recall a letter to the editor a few weeks back regarding a leashed dog that was bitten (and killed) by an off-leash dog. Imagine holding the other end of the leash while your dog is attacked and killed. Needless to say, a gut-wrenching experience for the owners. What happened to the dog that bit? It was held by Animal Control for a few days (I'm not sure of the exact number) and then released to the owners. There is no difference between a bite and a bite that kills. Are the owners required to change anything If you don't want to get sued or regarding their handling of their dog (e.g. fenced yard, muzzle, etc)? face a fine then control your animal. Nope. If the dog bites again within a It is just common sense. calendar year, there is some provi- I live in an area of P.C. where we sion for stiffer punishment. But, the constantly get dogs relieving themdog can safely bite (and possibly selves on our lawn. This is disgusting kill) once a year and basically have and totally irresponsible of the dog nothing happen. Do we need a owner. tougher law? You bet! In short, if you want your dog to run free then take them to a place where this makes sense; otherwise, Anonymous said... keep them leashed and pick up after Here's my two cents. I am a dog owner here in Park them. Why do we even need leash City. I have worked hard to have a laws? This seems like it should be a well-trained dog. When I exercise no-brainer to me. Yeah, I know, my dog, I purposefully go to trails some people arc totally irresponsiand parks where there are no peo- ble...sigh. ple that may be put off by my dog's Thank you for asking! presence. I also clean up after my dog. Not Anonymous said... that I think this has ANYTHING to Let's get back on track do with the leash law. I'm sorry, but here...dogs off leashes are potential regardless if a dog is on a leash, if an menaces and people need to obey owner is lazy, they won't clean up. the laws. In my less-than-humble I believe that there should be a leash opinion, I believe the fines should law. I think that in Old Town and in be even higher. residential areas owners should be responsible, especially if they know Anonymous said... that their dog is a threat. My dog has been attacked multiHowever, walking a dog on a ple times (five at the last count) in leash is NOT exercise. Dogs are ani- Summit Park and it seems that the mals, they want to roam free, owners don't care. Don't stand in retrieve, play and socialize. If dogs your yard calling your dog as it runs are limited in their ability to social- at and attacks mine. If you can't ize with other dogs and people, they control your dog, keep it leashed or in a fenced yard. I have had enough, will become aggressive. I have a simple solution. Why next time it is pepper spray or a buldon't we use a system similar to let. And if your dog attacks my child MiUcreek Canyon. They alternate or family, be prepared to go to jail leash on and leash off days. This way and be sued by the most evil lawyer an owner or a hiker knows what to I can find. expect or what is expected. Additionally, let's designate a Anonymous said... "dog park" and I'm not talking The Park Record introduction to about the little eight-foot fenced-in this particular blog is a bil off in part area in Trailside, I'm talking about a where it states "but when the alterpark or field where dogs can run and native is getting a ticket, or worse, play and socialize WITHOUT possibly being run over or shot." It leashes. should read "but when the alternaI understand the importance of tive is getting a ticket, or BETTER, the safety of children, so let's keep possibly being run over or shot." the leashes in residential areas and Amen to the last blogger... keep then have "off leash" areas that chil- your damn dogs on leashes! dren and their parents, or adults who are simply scared of or hate Philski said... dogs can avoid. Simple solution. There is a really good book on By the way, why are we wasting animal behavior called "Animals in all of the police force on a simple Translation" by Temple Grandin. issue when the middle schools and The portion that talks about studies high school are so filled with drugs with dogs on a leash reveal that hosand drinking that students are in tility and aggressive behavior often and out of rehab before junior year. result. Lack of socialization with That's where the manpower and pets, especially when they are energy should be spent. young, often results in dogs that can be dangerous to other dogs and children. Anonymous said... I love dogs. I have two of them. Yes, I'm for responsible leashing But all dogs should be kept under for animals in most public areas. control. That means different things However, in well known dog-orientfor different dogs. Some can walk ed areas that have wide-open with you unleashed but under con- spaces, I'll let my dog run. trol. Some dogs should have a muz- Interestingly, the only time I've seen zle and be leashed at all times. It my black lab act hostile with anothwould be ideal if owners could just er dog is when I've got him leashed. use their best judgment. It would be Reading the above hook helped me too bad if all dogs get punished just understand why dogs in particular because of a few bad ones that act the way they do. If only they aren't kept under control. I can see would come out with a book like all sides of this debate. I have a that concerning humans. good dog and a crazy wild dog, and have recently been bitten by a dog. Anonymous saidThe good dog enjoys freedom, the There is, it is called The Bible. bad dog spends a lot of time at home and never is in public, and Anonymous saidI'm now very cautious around Very few people can overpower a strange dogs. I hope good dogs hostile/aggressive dog and a leash remain free in P.C. will only buy seconds in case of an attack. Dogs and their owners need to be certified as "good citizens" Anonymous said I suggest that a dog who is owned through an official K9 course. This (yes. pets are owned) and goes should become a mandatory around defecating on others' prop- requirement before obtaining a K.9 erty or worse, attacking others (peo- license. Leash laws can be adopted ple, other dogs, etc.) is forcibly inter- in the city proper and dogs can roam fering with the rights of others, thus semi-freely in other areas under the control of the owner. making the pet owner responsible. WEST COAST WELLNESS to ^-Scotland tot 4^\.ti Has arrived in Park City Time to Get Healthy PfJNTRYCLUB ^&' Want to Feel Better? Improve Your Stamina & Your Workout? 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