Loose Dogs on Trail

[Hillbillies]

Here is a picture of Hillbilly's dog (the one on the skateboard with out the leash).  Sort of looks like Bob!  Hate to see this on a trail.

YIKES!!!!  It does look like Bob! 

[lynnc]

To say that a dog fight might possibly occur when walking on the trails is the same as saying that you might get into an accident when driving to the post office, ect.

Sagebrush,  a dog fight did happen while we were walking on the trail.  You seem to be disregarding that fact.

Angelwolf, in reply to your kind concern about the dog, thanks for asking, and yes it was seen by a vet and she is fine.  (the dog, not the vet.  Well, the vet is fine also!)

[Sagebrush]

I understand that a dog was attacked on the trail. Im not disregarding that. Again you are putting words in my mouth.  I think the lady needs to be dealt with. Why did you not follow her and get a license plate # or further info?

You seem to preach alot about hiking dogs off leash and people thinking they are above the law because they live in the mountains when you were walking your dogs off leash a few days ago. If you and your friend cannot control the 2 bulldogs then you shouldn't be hiking off leash. But please dont preach to me about something your guilty of yourself. My dogs follow my commands. If they didnt they would not be off leash.

I wish no dog to be harmed while enjoying a nice walk. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love animals. But I just dont agree that dogs need to be leashed even when in the forest. Agree to disagree but dont imply that I disregard an attack as unimportant just because you and your friend could not gain control of 2 dogs. Its your own fault in my opinion. When we hike Ive got a few tools in case of an attack from ANY animal and I never hike alone. If you would have been prepared you would have been fine. What would you have done of the bulldogs encountered a bear or a mountain lion? In my opinion its natures way of warning you to help you guys wise up as to what hiking in the forest entails.....

[samsonite]

I hate to be persnickity, but Pinetrees, your dog was the cause of your injury.  YOU didn't have YOUR dog under control. 

Your leashed dog caused your injury.

[Kimy1387]

Sagebrush.....What tools exactly?

[Sagebrush]

I hate to be persnickity, but Pinetrees, your dog was the cause of your injury.  YOU didn't have YOUR dog under control. 

Your leashed dog caused your injury.

Once again I will clarify....walking a dog off leash in a residential area and on a trail are 2 entirely different things. I guess you missed that the first time I said it...

Sagebrush.....What tools exactly?

Kimy there are many different tools to help you while out in nature. It doesnt matter which ones I use as everyone should pick the tools for themselves that put them at ease while out in the wilderness. Its a combination of security and mentality. When the owner is comfy then they pass that secure feeling along to the dog. The dogs follow OUR lead..not vice versa. We are in control of the situation!

[RobertW]

There is a difference between a loose dog on the street and a loose dog on the trails.

When it comes down to it.....We see off leash dogs on various trails almost 2-3 times weekly and there has NEVER been an issue.

If I am the one who will suffer a ticket for walking my dogs off leash why does it bother you people so much? I will accept my punishment from all the rangers (who wave and drive past me every time they see me and often times chat with us) when the time comes.

We encounter people walking their dogs without leashes all the time while patrolling Blue Ridge and Table Mountain.  It has never really been an issue.  As our rig approaches the owners have always demonstrated control of their animals by commanding them to stop, sit or come back to them and we will often chat with them about their dogs.  Only once have we, my partner and I, asked an owner to leash their dog. I have never seen or encountered a situation such as the one that started this thread.  If there was more foot traffic and we saw the potential for problems, we would ask more people to leash their animals.

Speaking for myself, I'm more concerned with dogs running loose in campgrounds or parking areas where they may be a nuisance to the public or in danger of being hit by a car.  Of course I'm just a volunteer. The paid USFS Rangers, FPO Officers or LEOs out of Big Pines or Area 12 may not be as forgiving or lenient.

I believe there is some confusion as to the leash law in the Angeles National Forest.  Dogs are not required to be on a leash anywhere in the National Forest.  Only if they are on trails, in campgrounds, parking lots, or other areas where the public congregates.  I suppose "technically" if you were walking along the trail but your dog was running all over the mountain side, you wouldn't be in violation of the leash law.

In those areas described above dogs are required to be restrained by a leash of no longer than 6 feet. Violation of Section 261.8 Fish and Wildlife (d), "possesing a dog not on a leash or otherwise confined", is a $50 fine.  [Title 36 - Parks, Forest and Public Property Chapter II - Forest Service, Department of Agriculture Part 261 - Prohibitions]

It is also "technically" illegal to remove snow or pinecones from the National Forest.  I know for a fact that nobody with the USFS out of Big Pines, either Paid or Volunteer, has hassled anybody about that.   

[SkierBob]

In a civilized society we don't get to pick and choose which rules we obey.

but we do pick and choose... and that's exactly why a lot of folks drive over the posted speed limit.