No Leash-Only Trails in Boise Foothills
Target:
Boise Dog Owners, Runners, Walkers
Sponsored by:
The Working Group of the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee plans to propose to the entire Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee to make all lower and mid level trails in the Boise Foothills to be on-leash areas for dogs. This would include all the trails in Hulls Gulch, Military Reserve, Bogus Basin, etc and leave on the upper level trails, or every trail accessible within 5 miles of downtown Boise, on-leash only. The FCAC will meet on May 7, 2008 at 7:30am at the Foothills Learning Center to discuss this issue.
We, the undersigned, believe that the Working Group's recommendation is extreme and unwarranted, and respectfully request that futher discussion and public comment is needed before the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee approves this recommendation, or presents it to the Mayor and City Council of Boise, Idaho.
We, the undersigned, believe that the Working Group's recommendation is extreme and unwarranted, and respectfully request that futher discussion and public comment is needed before the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee approves this recommendation, or presents it to the Mayor and City Council of Boise, Idaho.
The Working Group of the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee plans to propose to the entire Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee to make all lower and mid level trails in the Boise Foothills to be on-leash areas for dogs. This would include all the trails in Hulls Gulch, Military Reserve, Bogus Basin, etc and leave on the upper level trails, or every trail accessible within 5 miles of downtown Boise, on-leash only. The FCAC will meet on May 7, 2008 at 7:30am at the Foothills Learning Center to discuss this issue.
We, the undersigned, believe that the Working Group's recommendation is extreme and unwarranted, and respectfully request that futher discussion and public comment is needed before the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee approves this recommendation, or presents it to the Mayor and City Council of Boise, Idaho.
We, the undersigned, believe that the Working Group's recommendation is extreme and unwarranted, and respectfully request that futher discussion and public comment is needed before the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee approves this recommendation, or presents it to the Mayor and City Council of Boise, Idaho.
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We signed the "No Leash-Only Trails in Boise Foothills" petition!
# 2,760:
# 2,759:
# 2,758:
From the beginning, the Working Group was engaging in "faith-based" foothills policy. I’m not a religious person, except when it comes to picking up after my dog. As a member of Boise’s original off-leash committees, I spent two years working with other interest groups to create legal places for dog owners (70% of Ada County households) to recreate with their animals. Conscious of human nature, we recommended education and enforcement to support the guidelines. The primary concerns are still dog waste and user conflict. Leashing doesn’t eliminate waste and creates additional hazards (picture a leashed dog and owner on opposite sides of the trail). The current advisory committee’s ‘faith-based’ focus on leashing ignores such realities along with problems associated with bikers and other users. The behavior of a small, clueless minority threatens the rights of the vast community of responsible dog owners. Dog owners supported Boise’s Foothills Levy, pay taxes that support parks and recreation, and help make Boise a livable city. We also tolerate thoughtless mountain bikers and other park and trail users. Holding me accountable for my own or my dog’s behavior is justice. Condemning an entire user group is discrimination. It might seem more convenient than enforcing current guidelines, but will alienate a group of valuable constituents forever. Erik Kingston, PCED Boise, ID
# 2,757:
I would like to have an area permanently that I could run my large dogs without a lease. Right now we have to sneak our time at parks and it's just not fair to them to not have a place to run that we can be with them! Please help!
# 2,756:
I, like many other dog owners in Boise, think making so much of the Foothills trail system leash-only takes things too far. To me, the idea of holding events, informational meetings, etc. to increase the level of education regarding keeping the Foothills picked up and safe for all creatures living or visiting there is a fantastic start. I also think it would go a long way toward resolving many of the issues people have with dogs in the Foothills.
# 2,755:
# 2,754:
Let's get real! It is the "Poop" issue for most that is the major complaint - even for me. I take baggies for my little dogs and have a concern of them stepping into another dogs fecal matter and catching something but I would never dream of not letting them roam and explore because they love it so much. I believe in order to support The Humane Society in adopting dogs and promote Idaho as a Pet friendly environment we need to make this a state where owners can exercise their dogs and dogs can enjoy the freedom to run and play since many people live in apartments or subdivisions with small yards, etc. and it would be cruel to keep dogs cooped up, especially large breeds that need to run. Whether dogs are on leashes or not will not help the "poop" problem. Owners will just let their dogs go closer to the trails where you can really see and smell it. Getting others to do this for their big dogs on or off leash will be impossible and not resolve the issue. I propose a park usage fee to cover costs of clean up and maintenance. I would gladly pay to enjoy nature without having to come across large poop piles. The fee could also go to tick control in these areas and improvement in other needed areas to keep the trails safe and beautiful. I feel many would pay as a convenience to enjoy the trails without worrying about others NOT doing their job with their pets. This is safer also as others dogs can develop disease from stepping in fecal matter like Giardia. A leash will not change unaccountable owners from cleaning up after their dogs and will hurt lovable animals from being adopted because it's too much trouble to take them anywhere. We need to keep things enjoyable for both pets and nature lovers. Stay Informed with FREE information sent to your Inbox
# 2,753:
# 2,752:
There are numerous problems in the Boise area but instead of addressing these we are forced to deal with groups of people, with nothing better to do with their lives, that band together to decrease the quality of life in Boise. Walking your dog or playing fetch is a relaxing experince for many Boise residents. Now just to play catch with our dogs we are either forced to drive across town or watch over our shoulders to see if we're going to get a ticket. I just find it sad that the little joys in life that don't cause harm to anyone are now illegal. To those of you so adamantly opposed to dogs I recommend that you find a hobby or pay more attention to your kids instead of bothering people that aren't causing you harm.
# 2,751:
# 2,750:
My daughter and her husband live in North Boise. We visit often and both have pets who love to run safely in the foot hills on our wonderful walks. It would be a shame to lose the freedom of such a beautiful and user friendly place. I have yet to see an irresponsible or unsafe pet owner. In fact, this area is one of the cleanest areas I've yet to visit. I do shudder when out of control bike riders recklessly zoom by... If any one needs to be on a leash it is the unsupervised and rude teen age group that ride too fast with no respect for others. Please consider stronger restrictions for bikers on these wonderful walking trails. Thank You Deborah C. Reavis teacher Pocatello High School
# 2,749:
# 2,748:
Yes...there are plenty of areas for People/Kids/bicycles to go....but few areas left for our 4 legged unconditionally loving dogs. It would also be REALLY wonderful if there were some safe, enclosed (fenced) cut grassy areas for our dogs to play...especially during the tick season. So many of the dog parks I've run across are not fenced...thus I, as many others, don't feel is safe for our dogs. Dogs will be dogs and get excited when they see other dogs/people/kids and might run after them to PLAY not seeing maybe oncoming cars or maybe scaring people. SO...if there's an enclosed dog area then people who are afraid of dogs wouldn't go in there saving them and an owners stress...even tho' they as owners know their dog is friendly...others can and do freak out.
# 2,747:
# 2,746:
We live in Idaho, so let's act that way!
# 2,745:
I love the trails and would be horribly sorry if they became unavalible to myself and the rest of my pack.
# 2,744:
My family has lived near the Boise foothills for over three years and we have enjoyed all the amenities as explorers and as pet owners. We have always been responsible in picking up after our pets and we have never seen a discrepancy between any fellow foothillers! Please don't let us lose our wonderful trails, as they are our everyday getaway! Thank you!
# 2,743:
Making the trails on-leash only would make them worthless to me.
# 2,742:
# 2,741:
i like buckets I
# 2,740:
# 2,739:
Punishing the majority of responsible dog owners for the poop left behind by a few makes no sense. Let's be the state for which humane responsible and ethical treatment of all animals is given top priority.
# 2,738:
# 2,737:
# 2,736:
# 2,735:
# 2,734:
Let freedom ring in Boise for two & four legs.
# 2,733:
# 2,732:
If you look at the deterioration over the past 10 years of many of the trails in the Boise foothills I think you can put the blame on poor riding techniques of mt. bikers, not on our dogs. Now that this whole issue has gotten so much press, I hope we can all do a better job picking up after our pets and not lose what we so value about living in Boise.
# 2,731:
# 2,730:
# 2,729:
There is a joy that an animals finds in being free to run, it is in their nature and all people who use these trails can work together to make them better but can not live without them. I often take my labs and my best friend brings her's and it is a joy that can not be explained to watch the 4 of them playing, chasing, just the purest enjoyment there is in life. This should be open to dogs unleashed, anything different would take watching that pure simple joy away. And everyone's life deserves to see that joy.
# 2,728:
# 2,727:
There is little or no need to go and add more BS regulations or laws when we don't enforce what we have already. Simply an organized effort to inform the public of the issues will clean up the trails and reduce the small amounts of conflicts that occur. STOP acting as though this is a crisis with people (board members) acting as though they are the voice of the majority trail users.
# 2,726:
# 2,725:
My dog and I have enjoyed running together in the foothills for many years; it is a tradition I hope to continue. Ironically, my dog was hit front-on by a mountain biker while on leash and under control. The person rode on, offering a muttered apology over their shoulder that really wasn't one at all.
# 2,724:
# 2,723:
If they put dogs on leashes, they should put the mountain bike bikers on leashes too....they are far more dangerous than any dog I have run into.
# 2,722:
# 2,721:
# 2,720:
I would rather see people leash there age 2 to 12 children in malls and restaurants. I have found that dogs are far more polite, respectful and display more self discipline; but most dog owners spend more time with their dogs then parents do with their kids when was the last time you took your kid for an hour long walk in the foothills.
# 2,719:
# 2,718:
# 2,717:
# 2,716:
I think its crucial for dogs and owners to have a place to run and walk without leashes. A leash only law will definitely not solve the issue of people picking up their poop and this seems to be the main complaint. Hopefully the outcry among trail users will urge everyone to be more courteous on the trails and more aware of their behavior.
# 2,715:
I am happy to pay a $100/yr user fee and have my dog pass any sort of obediance test to keep the option for off-leash walking. If you issued distinctive collars for dogs that had paid user fees it would distinguish the owners that cared from those that don't and would make potentially make enforcement a bit easier. In my experience there are a handful of owners that don't try to control their anumals nor pick up after their pets. I have been told by another walker that her dog doen't poop when offering her a bag to pick up after her dog that pooped on the trail in front of us.
# 2,714:
I do believe it is time to start designating bicycle and dog only trails. The mix is dangerous. But, this does not mean that all dogs need to be on leash...just that mountain biking and dogs are sometimes incompatible.
# 2,713:
# 2,712:
# 2,711:
# 2,710:
# 2,709:
Truly responsible dog-owners do recognize the instinctive need within the breed as pack animals. The need to gather in play, the 'dance' of "who's boss and 2nd in command". . .In the foothills and on every 'available' trail. Still, accompanied by "my Owner" and companion.
# 2,708:
Please allow our dogs to run free, as nature intended, everyone dog or person needs to run. If the owner picks up after their dog and keeps it at arms length, then there shouldn't be a problem.
# 2,707:
Please leave some space for off leash area for our dogs, after 5 years of running in the foothills with my dog - it is the people that casually run or walk a few times all year that seem to abuse their rights, and not pick up after there dogs or to not follow the current trail designation.
# 2,706:
# 2,705:
# 2,704:
Walking with my dog off leash in the foothills is one of the things I love about Boise. This proposal would change the whole feel of the area, take away one of my favoirte parts about living here. There has to be a way to meet in the middle on this issue to make everyone happy and let everyone enjoy the foothills,
# 2,703:
Because I am not currently a dog owner, I often "borrow" my friend's dog when I run in the foothills. Having her with me enhances my experience because I know she is having so much fun. Please allow us to continue to frolic in the foothills together.
# 2,702:
# 2,701:
