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Durango dogged by scofflaws with free-range rovers

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald<br><br>One of the unwritten rules adopted by Durangoans is that their dogs deserve to live life unencumbered by a leash, despite city ordinances to the contrary.

I’m new to town, and I own two dogs. One is a sweet little puppy and the other is unpredictable. Because of this, I make sure they’re on leashes. It’s my understanding that the city has and enforces a leash law, and that the only places dogs may run free are at the dog park and on some trails. But this morning, I was on the Animas River Trail around 6:30 a.m. and my dogs were the only leashed dogs I saw. I also tried going up Animas Mountain trail with my dogs on leash only to find many off-leash uncontrolled dogs, and I even got yelled at by a dog owner who had his dogs running free. The Durango Area Recreation Map says “Obey leash laws, and keep your pet under control at your side in the back country.” Does “in control” mean “at your side?” Is there an unwritten locals-only code that you can let your dogs off leash whenever you want? – Wag More, Bark Less

First of all, allow Action Line welcome you to Durango. It’s a great place.

But as you have discovered, there’s a lengthy list of Unwritten Entitlements for Locals.

Just who earns that title of “local” is a secret, but generally based on the number of Patagonia clothes one owns and whether or not you moved here from Boulder.

The Unwritten Entitlements declares that locals deserve a free, close-in parking space downtown and the right to ignore stop signs while biking.

Additionally, there’s the holy Durango Dog Dogma, the steadfast insistence that dogs are gifted children who require socialization.

This explains why dogs are taken to Home Depot, the grocery store, downtown shops, concerts and social events.

Being new to town, it would be prudent to include on your party invitations the following: “R.S.V.P. No dogs, please.”

Not that it will make a difference.

Durango is very last minute, so the Unwritten Entitlements also include the provision that locals never have to R.S.V.P. for anything.

Why would any Durangoan commit to some minor occasion like a catered wedding when an impromptu rafting trip or bike ride might conflict?

But if you serve free alcohol, everyone will show up. With their dogs. Unleashed, of course.

Anyway, the city laws are clear. All dogs must be leashed or inside a fence yard. Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.

Owners must pick up after their dog “immediately” should they defecate on public or someone else’s property.

(Note that this doesn’t say leave green bags of poo on the side of the trail.)

In addition, city dogs must not be vicious or “howl unreasonably,” according to the one-page summary of dog laws provided by the La Plata County Humane Society.

In the county, all of the city laws apply except the noise ordinance and the requirement for leashes. Dogs can roam as long as they are “under voice control and direct supervision.”

Action Line called the Humane Society for clarification.

“Under voice control means that owners are able to call back their dogs,” the nice person said.

She didn’t want to be quoted by name, otherwise she’d be in the dog house.

So don’t let the doggone scofflaws get you down. All you can do is set the good example as a fido fiduciary.

And if you encounter a cursing curmudgeon with a cur, report it to Animal Control.

Too bad the officers don’t have a rolled-up newspaper with which to smack the person on the nose while saying “Bad Owner! No! No! No!”

Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you’d consider walking your dog down Main Avenue as a Fourth of July parade entry. Info at downtowndurango.org.



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