Off Leash Dogs and Nature: Your Opinion, Please

I spent the weekend near Camp Sherman in Central Oregon’s glorious Metolius Recreation Area.  At the Camp Sherman store on Saturday, in addition to Stephen Shunk’s (http://www.paradisebirding.com) van full of birders, the parking lot bulged with dog-filled vehicles. Lengthy tongues dripped with the anticipation of companions’ returns, and another chance to leap into the cold river.  Along the river, off leash dogs careened uncontrolled with excitement up and down the bank, looking for anything that moved…insect, mammal or another dog until exhausted, the dogs dropped into the river for a cool swim.

I thought about what effect our off leash dogs have on the wildlife.  Not that I’m concerned about the effect of a few dogs on a particular Saturday during the “busy season” on the river, but in general, what should those of us with dogs and a love of the trail do about protecting the places that we love.

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Raccoons in my yard

One of my neighbors was bitten by her dog during a fracas with four raccoons. Now she’s determined to trap the raccoons and relocate them. Guess what?  When those four raccoons go, four more will move into the area to take their place.

The bite, the fight, the fright, none of this was necessary. Why did it happen?  Dog food on the deck.

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