Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
B Webb <21impulsesailing@gmail.com>  
Monday, October 9, 2023 8:13 AM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Water Dogs  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
We have been to many State parks over the years and none of them are  
consistant about dogs on a beach, the better one’s have a fenced in area of a  
(cleaned beach area with no cattails, black muck, etc.) where dogs can go out  
into the lake to swim or chase a stick which doesn’t work while they have a leash  
on. We know all about the cleaning up after our dogs, and there will always be a  
few exceptions out there that don’t. The people that don’t clean up after their  
dogs should be fined.  
We’re retired and enjoy seeing our dogs have fun at the beach, when we lived in  
Cheboygan we used to take long drives around in the area within 50 miles just to  
see what their facilities were for dogs. They ALL say they are dog friendly but we  
have found that not to be true. We would choose not to camp at the truly  
unfriendly one’s.  
Sent from Mail for Windows  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Deb Scott <tater3025@gmail.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 12:14 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Leash laws for dogs - state property  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
To whom it may concern,  
The draft proposals that you included in the email appear to be concise and clear. I would approve of them if I could  
make the meeting.  
Thank you  
Deb Scott  
Citizen of Kalamazoo County  
269-501-3955  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
S. G. Yaskulski <sgydvmms@yahoo.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 3:43 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Regarding leashed dogs on state property  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
Hi,  
I speak from my cherished memories of being on the beaches in California with my dogs of that time period in our  
lives.  
We loved the walks and my favorite photo is of us walking together, taken by a friend.  
BUT, some thoughts/ suggestions to be good human and canine citizens ----- GOOD MANNERS must prevail, sensible  
behavior must be used.  
People have had a leash on their dog but it ran freely dragging the leash, leash unheld by its human who declared the dog  
was technically leashed. Not courteous and not wise.  
Courtesy is to ask if your dog may approach and/or play with another dog. A dog may be elderly, may be recovering from  
an injury/wound, or for whatever reason may not be allowed or up-to-snuff to the play that another dog desires.  
As a veterinarian I always urged my clients and friends with dogs to always have on their person a copy of their dog's  
rabies certificate, plus an ID tag on their dog's collar, harness, or vest. Incidents may occur and I would like to know the  
status of the dog injured or that of the dog causing an injury/incident to be able to help dogs and humans. Just as we  
humans carry ID and car license.  
May have more thoughts as memories arrive.  
Appreciate the work of the DNR folks.  
Dr. Sharon G. Yaskulski, DVM, MS  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
EILEEN OTTO <mstergrdner@wowway.com>  
Friday, October 27, 2023 9:49 AM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Cc:  
Subject:  
DNR New Leash Rules Open For Comment  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
I pray that you do not do this. I live in Saint Clair Shores MI and there are so many unleashed/loose dogs that I started  
taking my leashed dog to the now DNR managed Belle Isle in Detroit Michigan only to take him for  
a safe walk. This would be ridiculous. I also walk Detroit Animal Control dogs that are up for adoption (a lot of people do)  
at Belle Isle to get them out of their kennels. No way would I go to Belle Isle if dogs were off  
leash. Something also needs to be done about the loose/unleashed dogs statewide in Michigan. This what you are  
proposing is not an answer! I am tired of getting attacked (me and my dog) by loose/unleashed dogs  
what you are proposing would make it much worse!.  
Eileen Otto  
22438 Trombly Street  
Saint Clair Shores MI. 48080  
586 445-2136  
--  
--  
WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Gary Roehl <gary.roehlo@gmail.com>  
Monday, October 9, 2023 8:38 AM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Regarding leashed dogs on state owned /managed land.  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
I am an owner/caretaker of an Australian shepherd stock dog. I noꢀced in your communiqué, that you seem to be  
referring to hunꢀng dog regulaꢀons when they are Offleash. when my dog is Offleash he is always in a training mode  
under my command. So I would assume that he /I has the same rights as any hunꢀng dog, correct?  
I think that you would agree that certain breeds of dogs need room to roam and burn energy as much as any hunꢀng  
dog. I would characterize my dog as a working /herding dog.  
I realize that my dog is always my responsibility, so anything adverse that would happen would also be my  
responsibility,( as in state law). I am willing to take responsibility for my animal, so therefore, I believe he deserves the  
freedom of any other type of dog to be off leash. What other dog owners want to do is up to them.  
Because canine ownership is so popular in this country it is a part of the fabric of this society and the quesꢀon of their  
freedom to roam off leash on state land, is of the utmost importance.  
Any feedback you can give me to my concerns would be appreciated.  
Sent from my iPad  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Jerry Fahselt <fahzwell@yahoo.com>  
Thursday, October 19, 2023 12:58 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Leash (dogs) laws on state-managed land  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
As an avid hiker, mountain biker and snow-shoer who uses state land almost daily, I am very concerned about unleashed  
dogs. Due to medication that does not allow my blood to clot like ordinary people, every unleashed dog I encounter in the  
woods is potentially a deadly threat to my life. A seemingly minor bite could cause me to bleed out before any help finds  
me deep in the woods. I already carry pepper spray for defense and if leash laws are relaxed, I might even consider a  
legal carry sidearm...and that's just not the kind of person I want to become to protect my life.  
Please keep leash laws in place!  
Thanks, Jerry F.  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
John Tomlin <chefjtomliniv@gmail.com>  
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 12:32 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Dog leash  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
The law should read that dogs must be under control. Simple as that, under control on leash under control off leash.  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Kay Mattox <mattoxkar@gmail.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 8:00 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Leash rules for dogs  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
Good evening,  
As a resident who camps at state parks and also whose residence backs up to a state park (Wetzel State Park) that is  
used for hunting I feel I have an insight that most do not have.  
As for dogs in campgrounds please enforce the 6' foot rule when walking your dog. I have had dog(s) that I take camping  
regularly and when walking them I always have them on a 6' leash max. The problem I have is the people who walk their  
dogs on those retractable leashes and let their dogs roam all over the place. I don't know how many times I'm sitting on  
my campsite with my pup only to be startled by an uninvited dog on my site barking and running at my dog.  
As for the unleashed dogs while hunting, I do understand the reasoning behind it and fully accept it. I have beagles  
running on my property all the time and that is fine with me as long as the owners are not actively shooting on my  
property. It's the others who are not hunting but have no leash on their dogs while walking the trails. I hike the trails in  
the state park behind my house everyday with my dog (on a leash) and have been nearly bitten several times. The dogs  
that are trained for hunting have never tried to attack my dog or myself, it's the hikers with their off leash dogs that  
have the unpredictable dogs. Please address this issue. Dogs being used for hunting should be able to be off leash as  
long as the owner is actively hunting and licensed.  
Thank you for your time.  
Karen Warne  
57917 Werderman Rd.  
Lenox. MI  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Lawrence Stranad <617clay@gmail.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 12:38 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Dog leashing  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
My experience on state controlled lands when hiking and small game hunting, I have had my experience interfered with  
by unleashed and out of control dog(s).  
The state law of control for your pet, 6’ lease, should be enforced statewide with the exceptions noted above. Thank  
you.  
Larry Stranad  
Muskegon, Mi  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Thursday, October 19, 2023 4:00 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
RE: Question about proposed leash-law changes  
From: Lori Lickly <llickly@gmail.com>  
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2023 1:15 PM  
To: Wolf, Jennifer (DNR) <WOLFJ1@michigan.gov>  
Subject: Question about proposed leash-law changes  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
Hello Jennifer - I am a Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteer in Michigan, and train dogs to find missing people. Those of  
us who do this training have always assumed that we could train on State Land (Land controlled by…) in any area where  
hunꢀng dogs can train or hunt. We’ve been training on State Land for many years. Now, it appears that we may be  
doing so illegally…? And, the new proposal regarding hunꢀng dogs in Day Use Areas is very specific to hunꢀng dogs,  
although it does say “other purposes…” Would the “other purposes” clause include Search Dogs? If not, yikes! We  
heavily rely on State Land to train our dogs. In reading the RIS it talks about dogs being used to find downed game, etc.,  
but it doesn’t include anything that is not specifically related to “game”. Search Dogs essenꢀally operate exactly the  
same way as a typical hunꢀng dog – and we are hunꢀng – just not “game”. Please clarify how this change will affect SAR  
dogs, and whether it is, or will be, legal for us to train these “specialty dogs” on State Land. If you’re not the correct  
person to answer these quesꢀons, please forward this to the appropriate person, or let me know whom I should  
contact.  
Thank you,  
Lori Lickly  
989-965-6874  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 9:45 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
New rules for unleashed dogs  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
To whom it may concern. I believe that not only hunꢀng dogs should be unleashed while on trails and state controlled  
land. I believe that training service dogs should also be allowed in the same areas. Also training detecꢀon dogs for swim  
rescue, survivor recovery, drug and bomb detecꢀon, and search recovery dogs should be allowed on the same lands.  
Thanks for receiving my input.  
Best regards,  
Lyle Nichols  
Sent from my iPhone  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 1:34 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Dog Leashing  
Subject:  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
Hello,  
What is a "field" trail? Is this a trail in a remote area of the park? I am ok with dogs being unleashed  
in these areas. However on more populated walking trails accessible to and frequented by the  
general public, I would prefer that dogs be leashed.  
Thank you.  
Nena Thomas  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
paula wurm <phwhorse@yahoo.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 1:00 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
You know, I love dogs as much as the rest of them! I always had one. And I understand people can’t leave dogs in their  
cars. But… After being up at Tahquamenon Falls this past week, I found it very disconcerting that there were just dogs  
everywhere! And I mean everywhere. It got to be totally insane!! my husband now has a few mobility issues due to a  
very bad car accident a few years ago, through no fault of his own, and having all these dogs around really can be a  
detriment to his and so many other peoples safety. I don’t know what you can do about this, because Yep once again  
dogs cannot be left in the car but to have that many dogs roaming around even on leashes where there’s so many older  
people to me, seems to be quite a public health issue.  
Thank you for letting me give you my two cents about this.  
Paula Wurm  
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Rick Crawford <rcrawford515@gmail.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 10:37 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
Dog leash law  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
Does this include trails were dogs go off paths and chasing rabbits, deer and other animals. And during hunting seasons?  
And does it include hunting areas that trails go thru?  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Joseph, Robert (EGLE)  
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 12:22 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
DNR to host public hearing Oct. 19 regarding leashed dogs on state-managed land  
Subject:  
Hello Margaret,  
This correspondence is regarding leashed dogs on state-managed lands as I am not available to  
attend the hearing and reside in southwest Wayne County. I like dogs, but I do not trust other owners’  
dogs nor ones that do not know me This is a slippery-slope topic and it is always better to err on the  
side of caution. In other words, allowing dogs to “roam unabated” in general without a leash poses a  
safety threat and discomfort for many.  
Now, I’ve briefly read the guidance documents regarding this so it should not pertain to state area  
parks (trails, beaches, rest areas, etc) because dogs should definitely be required to be leashed  
(although many owners at state parks allow their dogs freely sadly). Allowing dogs to roam freely with  
the assumption that the owner will be present or make proper safety decisions regarding this is  
reckless and naïve. As state employees, it is our job to ensure the protection of Michigan residents  
when out enjoying the state’s beautiful landscape and this is one way of ensuring that. Thank you.  
Sincerely,  
Robert Joseph  
Senior Environmental Engineer  
Air Quality Division - Warren District Office  
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy  
Follow Us | Michigan.gov/EGLE  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Thomas Cardinal <tecardinal60@gmail.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 6:04 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
leash free dog comment  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
I am in full support of letting obedient non-aggressive dogs leash free in designated areas. Dog owners with non-  
obedient or aggressive dogs should not be allowed to let their dogs go unleashed. After years of trail hiking with our  
dog, this spring, a loose pit-bull attacked our leashed dog, sending it to the vet for stitches and me to the hospital with  
an infected hand from dog bites. Our dog is well socialized and very obedient and I know she could easily be trusted off  
leash. Only, changes in dogs allowed off leash laws should have some wording to disallow aggressive or non-obedient  
dogs from being off leash. It's unfortunate we have dog owners that go out with aggressive dogs, they can't control and  
are not on a secured collar and leash. I agree that most hunting breeds are usually non-aggressive and focus on hunting  
and not attacking other dogs or people. I would just hate to think off leash law changes would open it up for all dog  
owners to think it's safe to let their aggressive family friendly pet run loose around other dogs or people. Thanks for  
asking and your consideration with any law change wording is appreciated.  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Thomas J <bigtomjay@yahoo.com>  
Monday, October 23, 2023 3:35 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Dogs  
Subject:  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
Hello, I want to submit by comment.  
Dogs should be on leashes at all times in public areas.  
Please, let's not break what is not broken.  
One problem: Guys ( and I've recently witnessed this) with their  
pit bulls wandering around unleashed on bike trail north of Sidney.  
Children walking on the trail under eight years old. A lethal mix.  
Thank you, Sincerely.  
Thomas Joswiak  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Tim Purk <tpurk70@gmail.com>  
Sunday, October 8, 2023 9:01 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
You should start doing classes to show dog hunters how to safely release their dogs from foot hold traps. And help them  
understand it is against the law to damage or destroy the trap. This is my opinion and only my opinion, but would be  
good sense to limit potential disputes.  
1
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
From:  
Sent:  
To:  
Todd Rockwell <toddrock12@yahoo.com>  
Monday, October 9, 2023 1:08 PM  
Rost, Margaret (DNR)  
Subject:  
State Land Leash Law Review  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
Hello,  
Regarding Michigan Department of Natural Resources public hearing on Thursday, Oct. 19 regarding proposed  
language updates to a rule governing the use of leashed and off-leashed dogs on state-managed land.  
I am unable to attend this hearing but would like to propose the following: I train and deploy an Area Search, Search  
and Rescue K9 as part of Michigan Search and Rescue and Lapeer County Search and Rescue. Area Search K9s are  
trained to cover large areas of woods off leash to find missing people.  
We currently train and deploy on DNR controlled properties. I would ask that you please consider giving Search and  
Rescue K9s the same access off leash as hunting K9s (working and training). This will allow us to continue to train and  
deploy to help families find missing loved ones.  
Thank you in advance for your consideration.  
Best regards,  
Todd Rockwell  
K9 Team Glory  
Certified/Deployable  
MISAR  
LCSAR  
248-219-0251  
1
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.  
CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov  
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 bettercompliedwith 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 steppedup 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) 5158048 (William, phone or text)  
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