Hiker Shoots Off-Leash Dog

[johnlantz]

I wonder who appointed that man judge, jury, and executioner. To me, this is just another indication that there are too many guns in the world.

Hoping the dog full recovers.

[SurfNTurf]

I hike with my dog almost every weekend, and I let her off leash often... I usually only let her off leash on 13ers above treeline.

Are these places above treeline on 13ers in wilderness areas that have leash laws? Cuz I feel like your online persona here at 14ers.com is one of a good guy who follows LNT principles and takes time to mentor others. But then to pop on here and tell everyone that you freely break the rules on a regular basis diminishes the value of those contributions because it serves to discredit an otherwise strong voice for the 14er community. I'm no legislator but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the wilderness rules regarding leashing pets weren't exclusively designed to protect other wilderness users from dog bites. So the mere fact that you're mostly alone when you break the law doesn't make it more defensible.

I don't really know where to start wading through this, but, uh, I've always been vocal about leash laws being blanket legislation that exist to manage popular trails while ignoring the existence of responsible dog owners (admittedly rare in Colorado). Enacting a leash law is easier than, for example, running an off-leash program like Boulder's. So that's what cash- and resource-strapped organizations like the U.S. Forest Service do. Leash laws are designed for the common good in areas where encountering other users (and user groups) is likely. That the same law governs both the Mt. Bierstadt standard trail and the tundra slog up Grey Wolf, however, is a flaw inherent to such blanket legislation, and I have no issue with exercising common sense.

[Lioness]

I was bit by a dog when a child.
When in Colorado I was charged by a boxer dog at a campground.
Two other occasions I was charged by dogs while on a trail.
When I see a dog off leashe I ask the owner to hold their dog. I don't get into a discussion about it.

I hope none of this happens to you.

[douglas]

Let's stir the pot!

How many pro-gun, anti-dog-shooting people on this thread are also pro-gun, pro-people shooting in Kenosha?

Let’s not

[osprey]

The article almost trips over itself trying to communicate that they only have 1 side of the story. Just the tone of the reporting makes me wonder what the other side is.

But like others, I'm struggling to think of a realistic scenario here where it's ok to shoot an un-leashed dog. Come on man.

It is perfectly legal for ranchers to shoot dogs harassing their livestock.

[Lioness]

I wonder who appointed that man judge, jury, and executioner. To me, this is just another indication that there are too many guns in the world.

Hoping the dog full recovers.

At what point does a person get to defend themselves?
Must the dog draw blood with a bit, for example?

[LURE]

The article almost trips over itself trying to communicate that they only have 1 side of the story. Just the tone of the reporting makes me wonder what the other side is.

But like others, I'm struggling to think of a realistic scenario here where it's ok to shoot an un-leashed dog. Come on man.

It is perfectly legal for ranchers to shoot dogs harassing their livestock.

it's also legal for any certified peace officer in the state of colorado (but most specifically CPW officers) to shoot a dog harassing wildlife

people forget this. and the legal definition of wildlife harassment is quite broad

[ker0uac]

If one goes hiking with kids, and they start running offtrail and destroying vegetation and leaving trash behind, should we shoot them too?

[SurfNTurf]

The article almost trips over itself trying to communicate that they only have 1 side of the story. Just the tone of the reporting makes me wonder what the other side is.

But like others, I'm struggling to think of a realistic scenario here where it's ok to shoot an un-leashed dog. Come on man.

It is perfectly legal for ranchers to shoot dogs harassing their livestock.

Also legal for the guard dogs of livestock on public grazing permits to defend their flock. If you encounter a sheep herd, say like the ones around Uncompahgre, get your dog on a leash. Fast. Those guard dogs don't play. Interesting to note that the Wilderness Areas where the law only requires voice control are also the ones that allow for the most livestock. That's probably not a coincidence.

[cottonmountaineering]

Here's some additional info from another news site

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/l ... ake-county

[PJ88]

Just curious, how are these off leash laws supposed to be enforced? If these laws are in place in wilderness areas, chances are there is not going to be a ranger or police officer around catching those breaking the rules. The absence of any consequences for the owner makes this something we see broken far too often. I agree with SurfnTurf that when you use common sense it is permissible at times, but common sense is not very common. Shooting the dog seems a bit extreme. It will be interesting to see if more information comes out here.

[LURE]

The article almost trips over itself trying to communicate that they only have 1 side of the story. Just the tone of the reporting makes me wonder what the other side is.

But like others, I'm struggling to think of a realistic scenario here where it's ok to shoot an un-leashed dog. Come on man.

It is perfectly legal for ranchers to shoot dogs harassing their livestock.

Also legal for the guard dogs of livestock on public grazing permits to defend their flock. If you encounter a sheep herd, say like the ones around Uncompahgre, get your dog on a leash. Fast. Those guard dogs don't play. Interesting to note that the Wilderness Areas where the law only requires voice control are also the ones that allow for the most livestock. That's probably not a coincidence.

to say those dogs mess around is an understatement. in an area i hunt i've had one jump into the road and attempt to block my car as i was trying to drive up a county road. its herd was off the road not a 100 yards away and even though they were fenced in a pasture, that dog stood it's ground for a truck