Summit County is going about this leash issue the right way. The Summit County Council will hold a meeting tomorrow afternoon for residents to voice suggested actions (or lack thereof) that the county should take in order to address the issue of unleashed dogs. There is no easy solution, though, making it a wise step for the county to restrain from rushing towards any quick fix and to first listen to any and all proposals.
For those unfamiliar, the leash issue in a nutshell: There is a law in place that dogs must be kept on-leash at all times, unless they are in a dog park or on the owner’s property. The law is rarely enforced because that’s just the way it’s always been. Many residents are upset that the leash law is not enforced and are demanding some measures be taken. What is less clear is what these upset residents hope to achieve. Neither the Animal Control Department nor the sheriff’s deputies have anywhere near the resources necessary to enforce leash laws all over Summit County, where dog owners obey leash laws like drivers obey speed limits. Short of implementing draconian penalties and fines for owners of off-leash dogs, what practical steps can realistically be taken?
It is no secret that Park City’s myriad dog owners are passionate about their dogs. Many love their dogs the way parents love their children. Just like Park City’s parents look forward to outdoor activities with their children, its dog owners look forward to time outdoors with their dogs. Demanding that all dog owners keep their dogs leashed in all places but their own property (or the few-and-far-between dog parks) is to ignore the reality that Park City’s many responsible dog owners derive great daily pleasure from running around parks or trails with their dogs.
On the other hand, it is perfectly understandable that some residents are just plain scared of dogs and see them as a serious hazard. For them, unleashed dogs on trails and in parks are a nuisance or even a threat that detract from their enjoyment of the outdoors. Dog owners may scoff at the supposed hazard their dogs pose to others, but no one can dispute that incidents involving unleashed dogs do happen, regardless of fault. Asking frightened non-dog owners to simply deal with unleashed dogs is not a particularly empathetic approach to the issue.
The status quo will remain for the foreseeable future, and that’s not a bad thing. The law, however little it is enforced, and the possibility of being sued for damages caused by an unleashed dog, will remain the two main incentives for dog owners to be responsible about leashing their dogs. If dog owners are willing to risk being fined or taken to court for their dogs’ actions, there is not a lot else that can be done by our local government.