Well, this one is simple for me. As the owner of two fairly small dogs, I’m dog-matic (yeah, yeah) about leashing them no matter where we’re walking. A recent case, Wolf v. Weber, put this debate into starker relief for local park culture, where the plaintiff (Wolf) suffered minor injuries as a result of being unexpectedly “bumped” by an off-leash dog while hiking on a trail in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Though Weber tried to argue that hiking in off-leash areas entails certain risks, the court ruled in favor of Wolf. You can read the official court opinion in full here. Consequently, dog-owners from now on can be held liable for incidents involving unleashed or “uncontrolled” dogs.
Leashing your dog might not only save you from a lawsuit; it will keep your beloved canine safer, especially on trails known for rattlesnakes, coyotes and the occasional mountain lion.
