Unleashed dogs in campgrounds: A solution

dahkota wrote:
I was out hiking with my leashed jack russell. Bounding up the trail came a very large black lab. The owner was a good 150 feet behind. Because I heard them, I quickly scooped up my 15 lb. dog. Why? She is dog aggressive and will go after larger dogs. It is that small dog attitude. The owner of the black lab also had an attitude, stating his dog was harmless. That may have been the case, but my dog wasn't. And, if we happened to have had our german shepherd with us, his dog would have been toast. Leashing your dog is for his/her safety as much as it is for the safety of others. There are also often bikes and horses on trails. There is the possibility of rabid foxes and coyotes around here. Owners may depend on their dog's personalities but they don't know in advance what they may encounter on the trail.

And there is the issue of wildlife, as well. I know my dog would run after a rabbit or squirrel if not leashed. Not only protection of wildlife but also of your dog, should he try to get friendly with, say, a moose. My dog got mauled (not seriously) by a doe in our back yard once when he strayed unknowingly close to her fawn.