Rost, Margaret (DNR)
From:
Sent:
To:
William Kern <wtkern56@gmail.com>
Friday, October 20, 2023 5:44 PM
Rost, Margaret (DNR)
Subject:
Dog Leash Rules on State-managed land.
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Ms. Rost:
Thank you for your involvement and inquiry in this issue.
In our view, dogs in recreation areas are the single biggest danger and nuisance, as most dog owners do not obey leash
laws and rules. Of course, the "dog people" who left the dog(s) at home don't get into the "data set", but of the park
users you actually see with dogs, far more of them are breaking the rules, than complying. In many cases, it's clear that
they needed to walk their dog directly past a "No dogs on beach" or "Dogs must be on six foot leash" sign to be where
we observed them.
Additionally, I recently stayed at a remote campsite on the Au Sable (in a Federal park), and the camp site stunk of dog
droppings, which my wife and I collected from three locations and escorted to proper disposal. Despite this unpleasant
experience, it's been my observation that droppings rules are better‐complied‐with than leash rules, and this is the
lesser problem.
I would be hesitant to walk some of the trails I've used with a small child because of this nuisance.
I would like to see the Park Service post new (bigger) notices of dog leash rules, a posted notice that violators could be
(better yet... "will be") ticketed and fined. And I would like to see stepped‐up enforcement of rules, and ticketing and
fining of violators. I would like a hotline number to report violations, and I'd like to see that number posted on the
information boards at recreation sites. This situation IS out of hand.
Thank you for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me by email, phone or text.
William and Kathy Kern
(248) 515‐8048 (William, phone or text)
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