I am a dog person. I am an outdoors person. So it should come as no surprise that I like to combine the two. And I don’t like to use a leash when I do it. But having my dogs off-leash out in the world regularly leads to problems. Not with them, and not with wild animals, but with people. Responsible dog owners know when and in what situations it is safe for your dog to remain off leash and as a responsible dog owner, I feel it is my choice when this decision is to be made.
Although I do disagree with Chaunceys new potential leash law (outlined below) I do agree with their second initiative of owners being responsible for cleaning up dog waste and this petition ONLY address the leash aspect.
People seem to have 2 major reasons for getting upset that my dogs are running free: dogs poop,dogs chase wild animals, and dogs are scary. Let’s look at each and see if they really are issues.
Poop: I know not every dog owner picks up their dog’s poop in public places, or in the outdoors, but that has nothing to do with leashes, but more so responsible pet ownership.
Dogs Are Scary: Off-leash dogs do not represent a statistically significant threat to you outdoors. In fact, 75 percent of dog bites occur on the victim’s own property, and the vast majority of victims know the dog that bites them. You are more at risk of a dog bite at home than you are hanging out in the woods. Dogs are also less likely to be aggressive off-leash than they are on one.
I understand that phobias are a thing and some people have had negative experiences with dogs, which leads to fears. But an under-control off-leash dog is no more likely to cause you harm than a leashed dog. This includes the potential interactions between dogs and other dogs as well.
Is an off-leash dog a better-behaved dog than a leashed one? The approach to dog ownership in England is exactly the opposite of what it is in the United States. In England, dogs are allowed off-leash anywhere that doesn’t expressly require leashes. And those places are pretty rare. In the United States, where dogs are mostly required to be on-leash except in areas that expressly permit otherwise, there are about 800,000 dog bites each year that require medical attention. In the UK? That number has reached an all-time high of 7,227, nearly double what it was a decade ago. But with a population of 8.5 million dogs, the percentage of dogs that bite humans is far lower, at just .085 percent. In the United States, with leashes being standard, it’s 1.142 percent.
Lets Band together to keep Chauncey leash free for responsible pet owners!!!
Background Information:
MassWildlife is proposing leash and waste disposal regulations for dogs on Wildlife Management Areas. A public hearing has been scheduled for February 6, 2018 at 7 PM at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, 01581.
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has a long tradition of welcoming dogs on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), and dogs are still welcome on WMAs under this proposal.
MassWildlife proposes to take this action due to repeated complaints from WMA users about negative and unsafe encounters with unleashed dogs and issues with dog waste. MassWildlife protects and manages these areas to sustain wildlife abundance and diversity and provide wildlife-related recreation, including hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching, while at the same time providing a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all visitors. Therefore:
1. The proposed regulations require leashing dogs and other domestic animals on WMAs. Dogs may be off-leash only when hunting or hunt-training with licensed hunters under existing regulations, or if they are participating in retriever or bird dog trial events that have been permitted by MassWildlife. Leashing dogs decreases conflicts with both people and other dogs, resulting in a safer and more positive experience for everyone.
2. The proposal also requires dog owners to pick up dog waste and dispose of it offsite. Removing dog waste reduces nuisance and protects the safety and health of dogs and other pets, people, and wildlife
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
January 13, 2018
28 Comments
Every time I go to Chauncey dog owners are conscientious and respectful of everyone who crosses paths. It is not necessary to leash dogs and will change the charm and climate of this awesome place
Some of the best days spent here with Chester, mainly because he can be himself, a Happy Carefree Lovable Dog. No Leash Laws! Totally support proposal 2 - Owners are responsible for removing waste.
Couldn't agree more - Waste cleanup = "YES" | Requiring well behaved dogs on leash = "NO" . I've been a dog owner 50 years and have only seen 3 or 4 actual dog fights. I have NEVER seen a single dog be aggressive to a human. I know it happens but my point is its VERY RARE. A teenager might accost an older person but we wouldn't consider leashing all teenagers :-) . I don't doubt Mass Wildlife Mgmt has received complaints but I'd ask them "how many complaints" and "How many people are making these complaints"? I suspect its a few A few vocal complainers making a lot of noise. There are plenty of places people who don't like animals can go to be away from them - please don't "over-manage" the few wild places left in the state.
I am one of the many off leash dog owners that wear blaze orange and put blaze collars and coats on my dogs. I monitor the various hunting seasons and stay out of the areas where there is a lot of hunting. As Chauncy is located in a highly and soon to be even more populated with the development of the State Hospital area, I often find myself needing to explain to people that there is hunting allowed. Chauncy is in a unique situation that borders other passive recreation sites that would be negatively impacted without the dog walking community there to keep the hunters honest and in check.
Please keep Chauncy leash free! It’s a rarity and the only place where my husband and I can bring our young children and dog to run and play together! We can walk there from our house, which makes it even more special! Spring, summer, fall and winter: we are outside together, making memories and being healthy. In an age of video games, social media obsession, and obesity, isn’t this the goal??
In favor of off leash areas to walk
Train your dog, clean up their poop, keep the area un spoiled and in spoiled.
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I am a dog person. I am an outdoors person. So it should come as no surprise that I like to combine the two. And I don’t like to use a leash when I do it. But having my dogs off-leash out in the world regularly leads to problems. Not with them, and not with wild animals, but with people. Responsible dog owners know when and in what situations it is safe for your dog to remain off leash and as a responsible dog owner, I feel it is my choice when this decision is to be made.
Although I do disagree with Chaunceys new potential leash law (outlined below) I do agree with their second initiative of owners being responsible for cleaning up dog waste and this petition ONLY address the leash aspect.
People seem to have 2 major reasons for getting upset that my dogs are running free: dogs poop,dogs chase wild animals, and dogs are scary. Let’s look at each and see if they really are issues.
Poop: I know not every dog owner picks up their dog’s poop in public places, or in the outdoors, but that has nothing to do with leashes, but more so responsible pet ownership.
Dogs Are Scary: Off-leash dogs do not represent a statistically significant threat to you outdoors. In fact, 75 percent of dog bites occur on the victim’s own property, and the vast majority of victims know the dog that bites them. You are more at risk of a dog bite at home than you are hanging out in the woods. Dogs are also less likely to be aggressive off-leash than they are on one.
I understand that phobias are a thing and some people have had negative experiences with dogs, which leads to fears. But an under-control off-leash dog is no more likely to cause you harm than a leashed dog. This includes the potential interactions between dogs and other dogs as well.
Is an off-leash dog a better-behaved dog than a leashed one? The approach to dog ownership in England is exactly the opposite of what it is in the United States. In England, dogs are allowed off-leash anywhere that doesn’t expressly require leashes. And those places are pretty rare. In the United States, where dogs are mostly required to be on-leash except in areas that expressly permit otherwise, there are about 800,000 dog bites each year that require medical attention. In the UK? That number has reached an all-time high of 7,227, nearly double what it was a decade ago. But with a population of 8.5 million dogs, the percentage of dogs that bite humans is far lower, at just .085 percent. In the United States, with leashes being standard, it’s 1.142 percent.
Lets Band together to keep Chauncey leash free for responsible pet owners!!!
Background Information:
MassWildlife is proposing leash and waste disposal regulations for dogs on Wildlife Management Areas. A public hearing has been scheduled for February 6, 2018 at 7 PM at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, 01581.
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has a long tradition of welcoming dogs on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), and dogs are still welcome on WMAs under this proposal.
MassWildlife proposes to take this action due to repeated complaints from WMA users about negative and unsafe encounters with unleashed dogs and issues with dog waste. MassWildlife protects and manages these areas to sustain wildlife abundance and diversity and provide wildlife-related recreation, including hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching, while at the same time providing a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all visitors. Therefore:
1. The proposed regulations require leashing dogs and other domestic animals on WMAs. Dogs may be off-leash only when hunting or hunt-training with licensed hunters under existing regulations, or if they are participating in retriever or bird dog trial events that have been permitted by MassWildlife. Leashing dogs decreases conflicts with both people and other dogs, resulting in a safer and more positive experience for everyone.
2. The proposal also requires dog owners to pick up dog waste and dispose of it offsite. Removing dog waste reduces nuisance and protects the safety and health of dogs and other pets, people, and wildlife
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
January 13, 2018
28 Comments
There are not many places where dogs are allowed off leash, but tons of options of places that require dogs on leashes for those who may fear being around dogs. Don’t take another location away from deserving dogs and their owners.
Every time I go to Chauncey dog owners are conscientious and respectful of everyone who crosses paths. It is not necessary to leash dogs and will change the charm and climate of this awesome place
Some of the best days spent here with Chester, mainly because he can be himself, a Happy Carefree Lovable Dog. No Leash Laws! Totally support proposal 2 - Owners are responsible for removing waste.
Couldn't agree more - Waste cleanup = "YES" | Requiring well behaved dogs on leash = "NO" . I've been a dog owner 50 years and have only seen 3 or 4 actual dog fights. I have NEVER seen a single dog be aggressive to a human. I know it happens but my point is its VERY RARE. A teenager might accost an older person but we wouldn't consider leashing all teenagers :-) . I don't doubt Mass Wildlife Mgmt has received complaints but I'd ask them "how many complaints" and "How many people are making these complaints"? I suspect its a few A few vocal complainers making a lot of noise. There are plenty of places people who don't like animals can go to be away from them - please don't "over-manage" the few wild places left in the state.
I am one of the many off leash dog owners that wear blaze orange and put blaze collars and coats on my dogs. I monitor the various hunting seasons and stay out of the areas where there is a lot of hunting. As Chauncy is located in a highly and soon to be even more populated with the development of the State Hospital area, I often find myself needing to explain to people that there is hunting allowed. Chauncy is in a unique situation that borders other passive recreation sites that would be negatively impacted without the dog walking community there to keep the hunters honest and in check.
Please keep Chauncy leash free! It’s a rarity and the only place where my husband and I can bring our young children and dog to run and play together! We can walk there from our house, which makes it even more special! Spring, summer, fall and winter: we are outside together, making memories and being healthy. In an age of video games, social media obsession, and obesity, isn’t this the goal??
In favor of off leash areas to walk
Train your dog, clean up their poop, keep the area un spoiled and in spoiled.
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There are not many places where dogs are allowed off leash, but tons of options of places that require dogs on leashes for those who may fear being around dogs. Don’t take another location away from deserving dogs and their owners.