Boise, Idaho News, Weather and Traffic - KTRV Fox 12 - Dog Leash Laws Create Controversy in the Foothills
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Boise, Idaho -- It's becoming a heated issue in Boise -- should dogs be leashed in the foothills or not?
"We came together in mid February with the task of looking at the four areas of concern with regards to dogs in the foothills," said Julia Grant, a representative of the city of Boise on the Dog Working Policy Group.
Grant, along with 10 other members, came up with some recommendations for the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee. One of those is making all trails in the lower and mid foothills closed to off-leash dogs -- an issue that has struck a chord with the public.
"I think this is a heavy-handed and extreme response," said Marianne Konvalinka, who opposes the recommendation.
People like Konvalinka are passionate about their pets. For example, Konvalinka started a blog (http://www.boiser2rdog.blogspot.com/). There's also an online petition with more than 2,000 signatures and now there are bright yellow fliers posted all over Table Rock stating that "Your Dog's Freedom May be in Jeopardy."
"I think it's a really emotional issue," said Suki Molina, Vice Chair of the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee. "They don't want things to change. They love Boise for what it is and we're hearing that loud and clear."
On Wednesday the committee will make a decision in regards to the recommendations.
"There's been a public outcry because we're changing the rules," said Molina. "What we want to do is make sure we go slow and make sure we change the rules to protect the resource."
And taking it slow is what dog owners who enjoy their "leash freedom" want to hear.
"If we don't try to make what we have now work, I don't see how creating more rules will fix anything," said Konvalinka.
The Dog Policy Working Group looked at four areas to come up with their recommendations -- wildlife harassment, user conflicts, trail and vegetation damage and excessive dog waste. The vote to recommend making all Ridge to River Trails in the lower and mid foothills on-leash only, was passed 9-2.
To read the memo visit this link: http://www.ridgetorivers.org/
