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LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Article Excerpt
Byline: The Register-Guard

Dog owners are spoiling Pisgah

Mount Pisgah is a gem for the area's hikers. We've been hiking there for 25 years, taking a variety of trails to keep it interesting. Unfortunately, the issue of off-leash dogs has become a real nuisance.

We were recently intimidated by a pit bull mix after passing the person who was holding it by the collar. He let the dog go when we were down the hill and it immediately ran after us, barking, which was quite frightening.

Later the same day, a woman approaching us did not leash her Rottweiler mix. We stepped off the trail to let them pass without brushing against us and, while 20 feet away, the dog suddenly decided to charge us, snarling and barking, fangs bared. These events have convinced me something needs to change.

Of equal importance to these frightening encounters with aggressive dogs, I am highly allergic to poison oak. As a result, even friendly dogs, who are not leashed or under complete voice control, pose a threat to me. A dog that runs up and brushes against me transfers the poison oak oils from its coat to my skin. Shouting, "He's friendly," does not prevent me contracting a hideous case of poison oak that will last for two weeks.

According to the park office, as the popularity of Mount Pisgah increases, off-leash dogs are becoming much more of an issue. Off-leash dogs are required by law to be under voice control. I rarely see...

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