Poland forest board weighs change for dogs in woods

A public hearing on the ordinance is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 20.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

POLAND — Some residents enjoy Poland Municipal Forest in “dogged” pursuit of fresh air and exercise.

Some may not appreciate a greeting accompanied by muddy paws and wet nose.

The forest board has proposed a change for dogs in the woods that it hopes will appease both groups.

The change would restrict leashless pets to the portion of the woods between Butler Trail and Interstate 680, about one-third of the forest. In the remainder, dogs would have to be on leashes.

People in the woods on a recent afternoon — both with and without dogs — offered mixed views of the proposed leash restriction. Whatever the views, the public can express them at a public hearing on the proposed change set for 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at village hall.

For several years, dog lovers have been able to walk their dogs off-leash through the whole woods as long as the animals were under control.

But village officials have said that they’ve received complaints from some who use the woods about dogs charging other dogs or frightening young children. Jim Swager, forest board chairman, said that village council wanted a change restricting dogs off-leash. The change proposed is the one forest board members arrived at after considering the issue for about two years.

Poland Village Council passed the first reading of an ordinance to enact the restriction but then put off action on the measure so it could get more public input.

Swager takes his hunting dog to run daily in the woods and says that he personally isn’t in favor of the restriction. But he understands council’s concerns that a dog may harm a person or another dog.

If the ordinance passes, Swager says he’ll run his dog in the area where it’s allowed.

Richard Erwine, who was walking his 11⁄2 year-old schnauzer Benny on a leash in the woods earlier this week, sees both sides of the leash debate. He and Benny come to the woods for a daily stroll.

He and his other dog, who has since died, used to walk the trails without a leash, and the dog stuck close by. But he’s also seen people who let their dogs run wild.

“There have been isolated incidents where dogs have jumped on people,” he said, adding that he’s never experienced any problems. “The leash issue isn’t really an issue with me.”

Stephanie and Heather Frazier, who are sisters, were showing sisters Autumn and Elizabeth Rance, missionaries from Indiana, around the village and took them on a tour of the woods.

Though the Fraziers didn’t have a dog with them on their latest walk, they often bring their four-legged friend with them to the forest.

“We leave our dog off the leash,” Stephanie said, adding that the dog listens, especially when the girls’ mother is with them.

They don’t favor the proposed change.

“It restricts where the dog can run,” Heather explained.

Plus, it’s difficult to jog with a dog on a leash, Stephanie said.

As long as an owner can control their dog, they believe they should be allowed off-leash in the woods.

Karen Ho and her 9-year-old Akita-Japanese spitz mix, Poochie, were enjoying the fresh air, too.

Poochie was off-leash, though Ho held a retractable leash in her hand in case she needed it.

“I’m neutral,” she said about the change that’s being contemplated.

Poochie ventures ahead of his owner but returns to her side when called.

Ho could only recall one time several years ago where she encountered a problem with other dogs in the woods.

That was a woman who couldn’t control her pets and is no longer permitted in the woods, she said.

“Dogs are dogs, and people have to know their dogs and know their limits,” she said.

Lisa Lasko’s dogs, Ginger, a 14-year-old golden retriever, and Cami, a 4-year-old West Highland terrier, ran around the College Street entrance to the woods, greeting the pooches of other walkers like long-lost friends.

Lasko said she and her dogs come to the forest a few times a week and traverse the trails.

Although she keeps leashes with her, she allows the dogs to run off-leash and says she’s never experienced problems and likes the leash law the way it is.

“I like to cross-country ski,” Lasko said. “How can I cross-country ski with a leash?”