Reply to Dogs along the trail

I've had some problems with dogs running loose on the trail south of Pleasant Hill. Is there anything that can be done about this? The dogs belong to people who live along the trail, but they are not secured on their property. There are 2 locations I've had problems. One is the junkyard on E. Route P, past Paris Road on the right but before Staley Mound (Rock Island spur parking at S. Roush Rd). The owner has multiple large dogs that will charge you in the parking lot or on the trail.

The other location is if you turn left from E. Route P onto Paris Rd, then go left on the trail, it is down the trail and on the right (per Google earth is at corner of 203rd and Sherwood). There is a house with about 5 dogs and a large goat/ yak. They appear to do some type of construction work as there are many materials on the property. The goat/ yak is kept on a chain but the dogs are not.

These dogs are limiting my ability to use the trail for recreation, and my family and I are trying to avoid these locations due to risk of harm, and at a minimum nuisance of the loose animals. The trail signs clearly state all dogs must be kept on a leash on the trail. My dog is on a leash, but theirs are not. If there is someone else I should contact about these concerns, please let me know. I spoke with a cyclist on the trail today who has had similar experiences at these locations. I understand the dog owners live along the trail but the trail is public property and they are keeping people from enjoying the trails.

I'm sorry to hear about this - it's a shame when the trail gets ruined for everybody because of the actions of one thoughtless person.

I suggest a couple things:

1. Contact local law enforcement. This is a public safety issue and it may be only a matter of time until someone gets bitten. I understand that "country dogs" are usually allowed to run free, but the trail is a public park and if local law enforcement won't help, then they show a willingness to let some kid get mauled by the dogs.

2. Contact Missouri State Parks Department [ https://mostateparks.com/page/59521/contact-us ] - the trail is in their jurisdiction and they might have ways of dealing with these situations.

Also I would recommend carrying pepper spray when using the trail.

Good luck.

A few other things to consider:

1. Leave your dog at home so there is no temptation for combative dog interaction. Yes you have the right to bring your dog with you on the trail. We all have rights, but it's not always prudent to exercise them.

2. Do not run from them. Dogs love to chase and will act on another's instinct to run. As a dog owner though, you know that.

3. Be aware at those problematic locations that you mentioned. Knowing how to use pepper spray or an air horn is to your advantage.

4. Document all incidents and report them to both the local law enforcement and the Missouri State Parks Department as Ray suggested.

All good comments... I understand and share your frustration as a person who uses the trail and always leashes her dog. You might also contact the local town board and advise them of the situation... they will want your business so may approach local dog owners as we do here in Hartsburg.

Yes, the dogs shouldn't be on the trail but it's rural Missouri and that's the way it is. I used to yell at them or try to out run them. Stimulating but pretty stressful and I did take a nasty spill, about 20 years ago, because I was paying more attention to the dog than I was to the road ahead. That hurt!

Last year, I did a lot of cycling in rural West Virginia. I don't think anyone has leashes there. Everyone has a dog, or two, running free. The state motto is "Wild and Wonderful," after all. The dogs like to bark at and sometimes chase cyclists. That's what they get paid to do.

It dawned on me that, instead of yelling, I began talking to them like I would have spoken to my own dog. "Hey good dog." "That's a good dog." They might still bark but 90% of them seem to relax a bit. Carry some milk bones and throw a treat to them.

There will be a small percentage of mean spirited dogs, for which these tactics will not work. For those, get off the bike and put it between you and the dog.

You can use the bike as a shield and as a defensive tool. Lift up on the handlebars, so the back wheel is on the ground and the front is raised off the ground. You can use the front wheel to bop the dog in the nose a few times. Most of them will back up a bit after that. They may still snarl and bark but they become less likely to attack. Start walking away slowly, keeping the bike between the two of you. When you get some distance between you and the dog, get back on and pedal away. Usually the owner comes out and calls the dog off before you have to resort to this kind of stuff, but it doesn't hurt to have a few good strategies in your head.