The requirement to keep dogs on a leash is observed by most—but not all—visitors to national parks. A recent incident in Great Smoky Mountains National Park involving a pit bull and a deer offers a vivid example of one reason for the regulation.
"Leash laws" in national parks serve several functions: The regulation reduces the risk of conflicts when two or more dogs find themselves in the same vicinity; there's less chance that other visitors will be bitten when they try to pet a stranger's dog that doesn't want to be petted; children (or adults) aren't frightened or even knocked down by the enthusiastic but unwelcome approach of a large dog.
An additional concern for dogs running free in areas such as national parks is the potential for conflicts with wildlife. Every dog has its own personality and temperament, but more often than not, it's simply canine nature to chase another animal, and more than one owner has been caught off-guard when Fido behaved in a totally unexpected way when a wild animal arrives on the scene.
One of those situations had an unfortunate ending last week in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. According to information from park a spokesman, a pit bull attacked a deer in the park. The dog belonged to a man who was camped in the Elkmont area of the park when the incident occurred.
The deer was a mature eight-point buck that weighed about 130 pounds, and a wildlife biologist determined that its injuries were serious enough that attempts to treat it would be futile. The deer was euthanized.
The pit bull's owner was cited for failure to have his dog on a leash, and for destruction of wildlife. An appearance before a U.S. Magistrate on the charges is pending.
Another spokesman at the park said such incidents are fairly rare in the Smokies, and described another situation several years ago that illustrates the value in the "leash law" for protecting pets as well as wildlife. In that case the dog was riding in the bed of a pickup truck which was being driven through the Cades Cove area.
The dog spotted a black bear, jumped out of the truck, and headed for the bear, which was large enough that it wasn't intimidated by the dog. A chase ensured, and the dog became the prey, running back toward the owner, who had stopped his truck alongside the road. In this case, the pursuing bear reportedly broke off the chase when the dog ran into a group of people who had gathered to watch the action. That case fortunately ended without further incident for both the dog and the bear, but this one could have taken a nasty turn.
Finally, conflicts between dogs and skunks rarely end well for the dog—or the owners who are faced with the prospect of transporting their animal back home. That scenario shouldn't require any further discussion!
All of the above situations offer a good reminder: if you travel with a pet on your visits to a park, keep it under physical control. The regulation is for the mutual benefit of the dog, humans and wildlife.
Comments
Just a couple of comments in re: to pit bulls. Pit bull weight may range from the mid 20's to as much as 110 pounds. On average they are usually in the 40-to-50 lb. range. I have never owned a pit bull, but I have several friends who do own them. The ones I know have a tendency to be vigorously playful, demand attention and are protective of their owners. Dogs are bred for both physical and behavioral characteristics. The pit bull was not originally developed for simple human companionship. One problem with some pit bull owners is that they have more dog than they are able or willing to handle. It takes training, frequent exercise and steady discipline to keep a pit bull or other large, active breeds of dogs. A pit bull recently ran into my yard and killed one of my chickens. I did not blame the dog, but I gave the owners a piece of my mind for letting it run loose where it could go onto private property and attack pets and livestock. I made them pay for the loss of the chicken. They seemed shocked that their pet would actually attack another animal. The question is, what if the dog had run into a yard where small children were playfully running around and perhaps wrestling? Would that have triggered an instinctive attack mode?
Jim -. I completely got the purpose of the article, which was to highlight the importance of leash laws and keeping control of your dog, no matter what breed. I didn't even think of posting until I read the comments, which is what I was responding to. I assumed the pit bull in the article was one of those hybrid breeds that often pass for pure pit bulls when I saw that it weighed 100 pounds. I really didn't think much of it until I referenced it in my post. Killing a deer sounds exactly like what a pit bull would do, even if it's only 30 pounds; I said nothing about pits not being animal aggressive. I'm sure the attack was violent; describing that in the article would not have raised my ire. Animal aggression is natural for pit bulls (although they can usually be raised to get along with other animals, if they are properly socialized), human aggression is not. They are two separate things. Pit bulls are not more likely to attack a human; they're actually less likely than most breeds. Cocker spaniels bite more than pit bulls. It's just that pits are capable of doing more damage than other breeds, and a lot of people own them that shouldn't. It all comes back to responsible ownership. It's more important with a pit bull than with other dogs because they are animal-aggressive and extremely physically capable, not because they are human-aggressive. You can get away with having a spoiled toy dog, but with pit bulls or any other dog that is very athletic and strong, correct training is imperative.
look if your gonna site someone for the attack of a deer thats cool,but do site every human who litters and who have tooken from the people who actually the land belongs to!!There shouldnt be any exception to the rule!
Please leash your animals. As a fellow hiker, I would like the respect I deserve.
I hike with my dogs but I DO keep them on leash at all times. When they are off leash, which is rare, they are always at my side. The only exception is when I am resting or at the site where I plan to sleep. At that point, I allow my dogs to go twenty feet away or less. They have no reason to roam around further than that.
I have a can of mace that I am not afraid to use. I am sorry but if I am walking with my dogs, on leash (in an on-leash area) and your dog comes charging at me, regardless of his friendly or not so friendly intentions, I will spray your dog. I am not going to risk a dog fight or worst. It is the owners responsibility to keep the dog undercontrol! I am alright with a dog running off leash as long as the law allows for it and the dog will not approach me and my pups. This means complete recall and manners when it comes to the dogs greeting strangers!
As for wildlife, please dont let your dog chase them! I dont. What is your plan if your dog does catch a rabbit or a deer? Will you finish killing the animal if your dog doesnt? Will you let the animal waste away? The rabbits and deer have every right to share the land as well.
But it wasn't a child, it was another animal. There's a difference between human aggression and animal aggression. This dog was merely following up on its natural prey drive.
MMost pits are way under 100 lbs.. every pit I've owned my 5 year old toddler could hang from her slobber jaws and might get a fierce tongue lashing but if you or me got aggressive near that kid my dog would protect that kid with her life. Never seen em aggressive any other time. You know your way more likely to get bit by a lab than a pit... pits are loyal labs have often been more temperamental and known to turn.... you'd be lucky to know the love a pit has for its family. you'd be dumb trying to disturb that bond. Every pit that's ever been bad was eother raised and trained that way or abused neglected and pushed into a corner