Affectionately known to some as Bark City, Park City and it’s trails have always had a canine connection. Those who rode the trails in the early days know that it was common to encounter working dogs protecting herds of sheep. I can remember one night ride where our lights illuminated seemingly hundreds of sets of yellow eyes punctuated by a few red ones. It turned out that the yellow eyes belonged to sheep and the red eyes to their guardian dogs. Although I never encountered a guardian dog I didn’t like (or didn’t like me), stories of such were plentiful.
Fast forward to today’s trails, sheep encounters are down, but dogs remain a fixture. For most, interactions are positive; 15,000 years of domestication will do that. However, the relationship with and among dogs is complicated. Statistically, dogs are the 4th most dangerous animals on the planet, though you’re still 10x more likely to be killed by another human, it’s understandable that not everyone loves dogs. The same is true among dogs; they don’t all like one another, and, when confronted, bad things can happen.
A dog’s fidelity is legendary. Argos, neglected and old, was the only one to recognize Odysseus in his beggar disguise, wagging his tail before dying, a tale of loyalty relatable to every dog owner. In a very real, primal way, we feel this same responsibility towards our pets, keeping them safe and happy. The municipal codes and laws uphold this responsibility in practice to ensure that the public and their pets are protected in the spaces we share.
The off-leash privileges we cherish are dependent on adherence to the law. In short, it’s the responsibility of owners to keep voice and sight control over their dogs at all times. Dogs yield to all other trail users, never chase wildlife, and do not approach other people or dogs uninvited. The reward for obedience is great: safety and joy in the places we love and continued access for our companions. Just don’t forget to pick up the poop (bags).
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