A citizens panel will ask the Boise City Council to enforce existing dog leash laws and trail-use rules for the Boise Foothills, rather than impose tough new laws.
About 60 dog owners crowded a meeting of the Boise Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee Wednesday, some holding hand-written signs saying "Save our unleashed foothills," "Paws not laws," and "We love our dogs and Foothills."
Dog owners from around Boise have cried out since a special working group recommended dogs in Boise's Foothills all should be on leashes.
HOW WOULD THE LAWS BE ENFORCED?
The committee will recommend that the city's existing dog leash laws and rules for off-leash trails be enforced by Boise Police. The committee will also ask the council to appropriate additional funds to pay for the enforcement.
The committee also will ask the same citizens panel that suggested the tougher dog laws to consider volunteer "peer enforcement" of the rules.
WHAT ARE THE EXISTING DOG RULES?
For the past five years, the city has allowed dog owners to take their animals on most Foothills trails without a leash, provided they keep the dog on the trail and pick up any poop.
City ordinances require all dogs on public property to be leashed, with certain exceptions like specific Foothills trails.
City laws also require dog owners to carry a bag for poop pickup and disposal and to have a leash with them at all times.
Dogs are required to be on a leash at trailheads and parking areas, even at no-leash trails.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR DOG OWNERS?
Police can write a $25 citation if they catch dog owners with an unleashed animal in areas where leashes are required, such as city parks. Dog owners can also be fined for failing to pick up their dog's poop.
In addition to the fine, cited dog owners could have to pay court costs of more than $40.
WHERE IS MY DOG ALLOWED WITHOUT A LEASH?
Most of Boise's Foothills trails are open to off-leash dogs, if trail rules are followed.
WHERE MUST I LEASH MY DOG?
Military Reserve: Freestone Trail #22B, Toll Road Trail #27A, Cottonwood Trail #27.
Hulls Gulch/Camelsback Reserve: All Camelsback Trails, Red Winged Blackbird Trail #35A, Gold Finch Trail #35, Hulls Pond Loop #34, Lower Red Fox Trail #36.
All dogs must be leashed on all city trails from Jan. 1 through April 15.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER CITIES OR ADA COUNTY?
The Foothills advisory committee only makes recommendations for trails controlled by the city of Boise.
Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418
