[pct-l] Dogs in National Parks

[Ron]

I was told by a usfs law enforcement captain (a friend of mine) that the max fine is $100.  Sounds like a scare tactic to me.  This was 2 years ago though.
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James Vesely <JVesely at edmsupply.com> wrote:

>Isn't it a bit cruel to have a dog on a leash 24-7?  
>
>Jim 
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
>[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of mark utzman
>Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 1:47 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Dogs in National Parks
>
>A post I read today about whether or not hikers are dog friendly on the
>trail prompted me to send this reply. Why do we always let the
>proverbial "
>bad apple " ruin it for the rest of us who are responsible and do want
>to
>abide by the rules, but some of the rules have gotten so stringent and
>out
>of hand it borders on the ridiculous. To say since we as hikers don't
>want
>off road vehicles on the trails and make it illegal to do so, then we as
>hikers should just accept all the other rules imposed on us by the
>government, including dogs in state and national parks, doesn't hold
>water.
>I know by first hand experience that horses, pack mules and llamas have
>a
>MUCH MORE detrimental impact on trails and the back country than do
>dogs,
>and horses and pack mules are permitted on state and national park back
>country trails, while dogs are not. Please don't misunderstand me, I
>love
>horses and have ridden horses in the mountains and it is a wonderful way
>to
>travel: I am just trying to make a point. Horses destroy the trail.
>Period.
>Dogs do not. After about 2 years of investigating, researching and
>contacting state and federal agencies and speaking with a dozen or so
>employees about the rules and regulations concerning dogs in national
>parks, I finally spoke with a park superintendent that did some research
>and later contacted me ( I was intending to wing it and risk taking my
>dog
>through national parks, thinking a fine would be minimal ). She told me
>that the penalty for taking a dog in the back country of Sequoia/Kings
>Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park is a $5000 fine and a
>potential 6 months in jail!  WHAT?? Some felonies are not even so
>severe.
>California is bankrupt. It's revenue for the state. Here's an idea of
>mine;
>Why not implement a permit system for dogs, that if a hiker is going to
>take a dog through a state or national park they must apply for a permit
>to
>do so, charging a fee ( revenue ) and explaining some basic rules that
>will
>be enforced, such as dog must be on leash at all times, bury or pack out
>poop, etc.Just as a hiker must obtain a back country permit, and also in
>California a campfire permit (if you build a campfire ), why not allow
>dog
>owners to get a permit for their dog? I know it is not a perfect idea or
>solution, and there seems to always be a loophole someone finds. OK,
>punish
>the bad dog owners, but don't punish the responsible dog owners. Just a
>thought.   Mark
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