The Durango Police Department is investigating a man for allegedly threatening to stab and kill another man who asked him to put his dog on a leash while walking last week on the Animas River Trail.
According to a DPD Facebook post, the suspect was identified and contacted by police Wednesday, though the department did not release any additional details, including the man’s identify.
The man allegedly pulled a knife about 2:40 p.m. Jan. 23 after a leashed dog owner asked him to leash his own dog, according to a DPD Facebook post.
Police initially asked for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.
He was described as having “dark gray hair, scruffy facial hair, glasses on his head, red scarf, blue puffy jacket, gray/green pants, wedding ring, carrying dog-walking gear and walking with a medium orange-and-white dog.”
DPD spokeswoman Amanda Garrison said the incident occurred near Memorial Park, a grassy area along East Third Avenue between 29th and 32nd streets.
“The victim had their dog on leash, called out to that person, said, ‘Hey, can you put your dog on a leash?’” Garrison said. “That enraged him, and that’s what caused the altercation.”
Garrison said it is unlawful to let dogs run off-leash within Durango city limits except in designated areas such as the Durango Off-Leash Dog Park.
“We want to encourage people using the Animas River Trail or anywhere in the city of Durango to keep their dogs on leash,” she said.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
