Umstead Hiking Trails Recommendation

[Ellen Pitts]

We walked the Company Trail yesterday and there were TONS of dogs (we had our with us, too, on leash). There was one person with a dog off leash and we witnessed the dog fight that ensued. I just don't get it. Why do people let their dogs run free when they know they are aggressive? Or even if they don't know it? You just never know how your dog will react in a situation with lots of strange dogs. One bad apple spoils the bunch....

We did really enjoy the hike, though.

[adlnc07]

For the past six months I've found off leash dogs to be a huge problem at Bond Park of all places! It's such a pet peeve of mine - my dog is fear aggressive and I'm really trying to work with him on it. I feel like all progress goes out the window though when an off leash dog comes running up to us. Even if the loose dog is relatively friendly, my dog just freaks out. :-(

I can just imagine that at Umstead people feel even more comfortable letting their dogs off leash.. :-(

[jeffm]

People who leave their dogs off lease on these trails drive me crazy as well. Happens almost every time I hike.

[adams_aj]

Get a picture of the dog off leash, and perhaps the owner. Then see if Umstead has an email address and send it in. They need to know it's happening. They should be at the trailheads speaking to all people with animals to remind them to keep them on the leash. One thing is for sure: if they're off leash, at minimum, their owners are not picking up after them.