Mueller State Park has permanently banned dogs from its hiking trails after a three-month trial experiment brought negative results.
Over the summer, dogs were seen hiking alongside their human companions at Mueller State Park, in what was a three-month trial run to determine whether it would cause more harm than good for the park and its natural resources to have the animals on the trails. According to a news release by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the Mueller State Park has officially decided to ban dogs from its hiking trails, permanently. The "Exception-Trial Period" was a limited time period that began June 1 and ended August 31. The experiment tested owners and their ability to follow the regulations, such as picking up waste and disposing of it properly, keeping your pet on a leash at all times, and being respectful of other hikers and/or their pets. Many visitors and their dogs were in violation of those rules, which resulted in over 88 (written and verbal) complaints and seven rule violation tickets. Park Manager John Geerdes said in the press release,We had reports of dogs chasing small wildlife such as foxes, squirrels and rabbits. And we heard, over and over again, that people come here to hike because it is one of the last places they can do so and not encounter dogs. Many come for the wildlife experience and say dogs ruin that for them."Geerdes also said that many guests reported a decrease in the amount of big game sightings along the trails in comparison to previous summers. [gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="24243,24244"]
While dogs are now banned from the hiking trails, they are allowed in the campground and picnic areas so long as they remain on a leash. For more information on the ban, visit the Colorado Parks & Wildlife's website.
What are your thoughts on the dog ban? Do you agree with it? Or are you opposed to it? Let us know in the comments below!
