i think there should be laws for aniamls mostly dogs... all dogs should be leashed unless it has been properly trained to listen to or look for all types of commands the dog has been taught... when i lived in bangor there were only a few dogs that were that well trained... i always had my dog on a leash when we went for walks... the other dog owners that have taken the time to trian there dogs still carried there dog leash with them....

I am surprised to learn that Bangor does not have leash laws already. My town has had this law enacted for many years. I would not consider having my dogs off a leash now, it is as much for their safety as for the safety of others.

Why not a leash law for the aggressive dogs? If I ever got bit by an untrained dog I would be seeing $$$. I think 95% of dogs are loving by nature and they don't all need to be leashed.

I won't swear to it but I beleive the State already has a mandatory leash law. Might save a lot of headaches if someone would make a call to the State.

leashes should be mandatory- trained or not.

How Many Crimes Do Dogs Have To Do

To Be Put Under Control Anytime In Public

I have a great dog who is highly trained, and listens to voice commands very well. Even so- for his safety and the comfort of others I often use a leash. Of course there are the few people who *think* they have a nice dog (but really have zero control over the animal) that cause trouble for everyone else. Call me optimistic, but I hope new leash laws will primarily be enforced for those loose dogs causing trouble because their owners don't take the time or don't see how anyone wouldn't love their aggressive/hyper/yippy/jumping mutt.

I have a 10 year old Golden Retriever who is trained to respond to voice commands. and is very obedient. Even though Goldens are very friendly dogs.....if we travel off of our property he goes on a leash. Even the best trained dogs get placed in precarious situations in the field. The leash is a guarantee.

This is hilarious to me, absolutely freaking hilarious. Our soon-to-be-former City Manager is absolutely correct when he points out enforcement is going to be a problem. It has been a problem with Animal Control in Bangor for years. I have a neighbor who insists on letting their dog run around the nieghborhood, doing "his thing" wherever and whenever. He is a big dog, and tho I find him friendly, he has scared many smaller children over the years. I, and many other neighbors made complaints. Wanna know what happened?

Nothing. The Animal Control Officer would always respond by telling us that she had to see the dog loose in order to do anything about it. Many calls were made, but guess what? Still happens.

Yes, we have spoken with the dogs owner. "He doesn't like the leash" is the response.

This is a wonderful idea that will have no "teeth", so to speak. There will be no enforcement. Unless we spend EVEN MORE MONEY to hire more people, new people, better people. There you go. Happy Leash Law. Much ado about nothing, at least here. Oh wait, maybe they will enforce this new law, at least on the cool city forest trails.

No point in a leash law if it's not going to be enforced. There's already a law requiring people to clean up after their dogs in city parks, but I have yet to see anyone get a ticket for failing to do so.

Never Ever take your dog to a dog park.

If you folks want to get a handle on this argument search some of the 'Willard Beach' articles in the other liberal paper to our south.

I was fortunate to have learned the proper methods of dog training when a teen and always had a dog that I could take 'off leash' anywhere. Try joining some professional duck hunters with dogs at half before daylight with an untrained dog. You are invited to sit in the truck for the day or go way over there.

You get out of a dog just what you put into it. If you are stupid you get a stupid dog.

In reading this article, I found it refreshing to know that the council is beginning to understand that they need to make time for public input before making a decision (they've not done well with this in the past). On a sadder note, it's unfortunate that the Bangor city council is so ineffective and untrusted that at this stage they cannot make an independent decision about dogs. Not good, they've got a long way to go to demonstrate to the public that they know what their doing.

Whats sad is the people that are causing the problem are the ones that won't obey the leash law, and are probably the same ones who don't pick up after their dog.

Caveman, I lived in Portland-the willard beach issue, while involving dogs and leashes, is a different can of worms. You can also read about the issue quite extensively in downeast dog news.

The article mentions that the BARK group held one of it's first meetings recently. I met with a woman recently who has been on that committee for over 3 years. The city of Bangor has had no interest in wokring with them to establish a park. I used to frequent Bangor forest often but with the increase in cars being vandalized I stopped since it no longer seemed like a safe and enjoyable place to go. I have a dog that is under voice control and I never leash. However, I carry one with me. I do find that most of the dogs that aren't leashed should be and find it unfortunate that irresponsible owners ruin it for the rest of us.

A leash law would be welcome. My landlords have an adorable, spunky Jack Russell that was attacked by an unleashed large dog on 7th street last year. This dog had bitten a PERSON before, and the city did not order the owner to have it put down. It nearly killed my landlords' dog and cost them quite a bit to treat his injuries, not to mention recuperation time for the poor guy. The owner of the other dog was merely required to pay a fine.

As far as dogs on the trails, I assume they're speaking of the city forest, and I've never had a bad experience with a dog there. However, any person I've been with walking there has kept their dog on a leash. I've seen many dogs off leash there and never had a problem with them, but I still think a leash law is a very good idea simply for those who refuse to take responsibility for their animals.

caveman, leash laws & related sound like subjects you are qualified to talk about.

We walk our dog on a leash and these unleashed so-called "friendly" dogs act aggressively when they approach our dog. My husband ends up having to put himself in between these loose dogs and our dog who is leashed and all the owners say is "Oh, my dog is not mean" instead of trying to control their animals!

I walked in the Bangor City Forest all summer and fall. What a wonderful natural treasure we have right in the middle of our city! Most days, I had absolutely no problems, but however, 4 or 5 times this summer I had unpleasant encounters with dogs. Once, soon after abdominal surgery, I was walking per my surgeon's orders and I had a 70 or 80 lb dog come out of nowhere and jump on me. Both paws were on my chest/abdomen and the dog nearly pushed me over. The dog was very friendly, not aggressive at all, but still could have caused me injury if he had jumped on me the wrong way. I never did see the owner of that dog. I could hear them calling from quite a ways a way. Another time, I had a boxer puppy attack my feet as I was walking. Growling and snarling, I knew it was a puppy and was just playing. Again, I couldn't see the owner, but I did hear the owner calling to the dog. A third time, I had a dog attack my dog who was on leash. Again, the owner was no where to be seen.

The problem with allowing dogs off leash is that they are dogs. They do what comes naturally to them, especially if they are in the middle of the woods like in the Bangor City Forest. No matter how well they are trained, when they are allowed to run, any dog may show aggressive tendencies. It's in their nature.

I think a dog park sounds wonderful. Bangor has some amazing walking trail parks. Why not dedicate one to a park where dogs can be off leash and designate the others as parks where the dogs need to be leashed at all times? That way, if you go for a walk in the off leash park, you know that you may run into dogs off leash and when you walk in the other parks, you will have the confidence to know that you will not be chased or attacked by dogs that are simply being dogs.

Kevin I have used Willard beach with a great and sadly missed black lab when I lived in Naples. This is the same issue other than the fact of Nimby waterfront landowners wanting what they can't have. The folks in the white condos in Naples will remember Sam. I successfully fought their leash law.

David the last dog (lab) I trained was 'off-leash' in a crowd at six months and visiting hospital patients at eight months (with a leash).

This is easy. If an unleashed dog jumps up on you, use pepper mace... on the owner.

Leash Law how about Pick Dog Crap Law!! We were on Main Street to watch the Christmas Parade and the Park by Merril was loaded with Dog Crap. What a shame that per owners DO NOT take responsibility especially in Public Parks "there is nothing worse than getting stinky crap on your boots!! SO GROSS!!!

Picturegal, sorry for your bad experiences. People letting their dogs run wild, either out of voice command (and sight for that mattter), or not even trained to listen, are the ones causing the problem. Even though I am a dog owner myself, I have had some bad experiences at 2 or3 parks in the area myself. I can take my dog, who is very well trained, very intelligent, and walk him unleashed in the center of town without having any issues. He does not chase people, other dogs, or wild animals, unless I give him the "go get it" command. I take him Mtn Biking in the city forest (and have for years) and he runs 2-3 feet behind me and does not deviate. When walking, I do have a leash, when biking-that is impossible (but yes, I do still pick up the poo), but as long as I keep moving, he is not going to stop for anything. I never had to put him on leash even when he was a pup-he is herding breed, known for sticking near their owners like velcro. I'm not one of those people just say "my dog is well trained, or my dog is friendly etc"-I really mean it. I have got many compliments on his behavior, and not a single complaint.

My Girlfriends dog, that we adopted when he was a year old-different story. While around the house he listens (which has taken a lot of time)-out in the world he does not. When we bring him places, he is on a leash at all times.

My dog says this is all fine but where are the treats?

I was severely disappointed when I saw this wasn't about children.

On 12/16/09 at 5:07 AM, freedomfighter wrote:

Why not a leash law for the aggressive dogs? If I ever got bit by an untrained dog I would be seeing $$$. I think 95% of dogs are loving by nature and they don't all need to be leashed.

Even "friendly" dogs can create issues when unleashed. They approach people who do not want them near, they can get excited and jump on people, and often they are too hyper with other dogs and the other dogs will lash out in fear of being rushed upon by these untrained dogs.

Yes, Maine DOES have a leash law, however, obviously it's not enforced. People who walk their dogs should always put the dog on a leash, AND pick up the doo-doo!

To the person whose dog "doesn't like the leash", I say, "who's the boss here, you or the dog?" Dogs will like whatever you train them to do, just to please you, their owner. Try it!

Maine law requires dogs to be on a leash or, if not on a leash, under voice command of the handler.

There is no question at all that dogs in City Forest need to be on a leash at all times.

I agree. Bangor (and other communities) need a leash law AND a free-run dog park. If in place, the laws can be enforced (including by time-stamped video). Not only hikers and home owners need protection from non-leashed dogs but bikers do too.

Our dog is a typical black Lab who loves everyone and everything. Almost 12 now and a bit "fluffy", he wouldn't hurt a fly. He has even been known to let the cat sleep with him in his bed. However a leash is a must for the comfort of others and his safety. If not on a leash, he may very well walk up and say "hello" to a porcupine. I have taken quills out of dogs before and have no desire to do it again.

The other issue is for the benefit of people who are not comfortable around dogs or who have a genuine fear of them for whatever reason. It is just common courtesy to keep our family pets close.

Now if we could just get the council make people put their brats on a leash we'd be all set. Maybe even a muzzle to cut back on all the screaming.

I wish all I had to worry about was a dog not on a leash. I wish this country would go back to the wild west days, where two cowboys knew how to resolve a dispute, and not cost a lot of money. We now have too many whiners, that have nothing to do. At least then, you took care of yourself and did not depend on the government. I know, it's a pipe dream.

The State of Maine has a leash law. Towns and cities need not go further with local legislation. This law as already stated requires good voice control instead... if not on a leash. Sad to say there are very few commonsensical dog owner/trainers. One can not let a dog run the house, they want to have parameters and jobs to perform. When in public, if there is no control over fido, you are an a$$hole! I can't put it any more plane than that folks.

When you get a new car there is a manual in the glove compartment. Sadly again, they never get read. When you get a dog buy a manual [how to...book] and read it!

Hey Hong Kong...I'm with you on that one. I also have horses and it's kind of fun to be a cowboy on a weekend. Oh yea, my dog 'heels' to the horse!

I bet he was quick to learn not to hang out behind the horse!

How about this Bangor: Put your city council on a leash, and let the dogs run the creepy little city on the Penobscot, which used to be something special.

I sure am glad I don't live there anymore.

Hong_Kong_Phooey wrote: I bet he was quick to learn not to hang out behind the horse!

Well his nose is about a foot from the right rear hoof...all the time.

HarrySnyder: Sounds like you do not like the present day Bangor! It's not that bad!!

There is already a dog park in the city of Bangor - all you need to do is head over to the enclosed softball/baseball fields on the westside and you can see all kinds of dogs running around and leaving their waste behind. And come springtime, my children get to play America's favorite pasttime amongst mounds of rotting dog feces! PLay Ball!! And when I complained to Parks and Rec., they did not care - so, I don't trust the city to make the right call on this issue. If my taxes go to a dog park - I will be first in line to protest. What do you think will happened when someone gets bit in a city run dog park -yup, you guessed it - a lawsuit against the city!

Caveman, you're not making any sense when you say that towns don't need to go further by requiring leashes because the state requires dogs not leashed to be under voice control. The problem in City Forest is there are too many people who say their dog is not leashed because it is under voice command. With a leash law, there is little room for doubt as to whether a dog was leashed. Either the dog is on a leash or not. If not, cite the handler.

As for Mr. Barrett's assertion that enforcing such a law would be difficult, so be it. At least if an unleashed dog were to injure someone or property, the victim would have a stronger case in civil court if the victim could show the handler was in violation of the city ordinance.

It would seem to me that because a violation would be a civil crime, like a parking violation, that the city need not have an actual police officer enforce it. I, for one, would be more than happy to help with enforcement, as I ride, hike, and ski in the forest several hundred miles each year. On Tuesday alone I encountered SEVEN unleashed dogs within a few hundred feet of the arboretum.

I thought there was a Statewide Leash Law in effect---A dog owner needs to have complete comtrol of his/her dog at all times. A dog should be leashed when off it's own property or in any public place where there are other people or pets. Dog Parks are a diferent thing altogether. They are fenced and people are allowed to let their dogs off leash so long as their dog isn't aggressive or fights with other dogs.

chersully2000 wrote:

"Sounds like you do not like the present day Bangor! "

Gee, what ever gave you that idea?

I think this refers to dogs on wooded trails, not in general. Dogs really do need a place to be able to get off the leash and run around because they can't really do that while on a leash. Those wooded parks appears to be where some dog owners are going to allow that. Putting a leash on a dog every time they go outside is like putting a child on a leash every time you take them outside. For proper health dogs need a place to be able to run and get proper exercise. If Bangor is going to take the trails away from dog owners then they definitely need to put in a dog park where dogs can get proper exercise. Most people with aggressive dogs know that their dogs are like that and most likely already do use a leash. Perhaps they could apply a leash law to one of the trails so anyone afraid of dogs can use that one.

Cry me a river. I am so glad an unleashed dog is the most of your worries.

Have you ever seen all the unleashed Moose in the roads that cause accidents.

The state law was enacted with hunting dogs in mind. The voice command is for duck hunting etc. Kind of hard for a retriver to get a duck with a leash on him. But then it is also kind of hard to keep a bear or coon dog within voice range. My very gentle rottie was never off a leash or on his cable run unless in the car or house but some worthless son of a seacook poisned him with antifreeze in my own yard on his run when I was not home.

1. bubbalouie wrote: That statement is exactly right EXCEPT if the dog is that well behaved, then he is not required to be leashed. Read the law. I will go out on a limb and say your dog was poisoned for either being a nuisance or you had a sicko neighbor. I have heard of horses being poisoned.

2. Centaurmyst wrote: When a law is on the books; there is no 'I think mode...'; it is written as it is written. No difference for wooded trail or hotel lobby.

3. eastmainer wrote: You've been blowing smoke all day (including med marijuana in Brewer moratorium)! 'I thought...' doesn't do the trick. Can you spell Google? Look up the law and stop publicly embarrassing yourself.

4. ryanrrobbins wrote: Caveman, you're not making any sense when you say that towns don't need to go further by requiring leashes because the state requires dogs not leashed to be under voice control. The problem in City Forest is there are too many people who say their dog is not leashed because it is under voice command. With a leash law, there is little room for doubt as to whether a dog was leashed. Either the dog is on a leash or not. If not, cite the handler.

Good point; it is an owner problem that can never be administered by gendarmes. The State law requires a leash or voice control. I just taught my dogs to hit and fight on command (if confronted by jerk dogs). Other than that they have been perfectly acceptable and on voice control at ALL times. Mind you, I have only used it once on a Dobie in Bar Harbor twenty five years ago. It worked.

5. Point counter point...if the kids are jerks be sure that the parents and dogs are as well.

Make all the laws you want. My dog will never sign the ticket or show up for his court date. I have tried my best to raise him right but dogs will be dogs.

HarrySnyder: You are funny. We used to live there and did not mind it. At least we are in Maine, right.....I would rather be in Maine at Christmas than DisneyWorld as Mr. Parsons!!

Merry Christmas, Harry!

caveman...I actually am pretty sure the Maine leash law isn't what you think it is. I looked it up recently and a dog in Maine is considered to be "under control" if the owner is present with it, and a leash is not required. I looked this up at the time that mail carrier pepper sprayed the young girl and her puppy.

Yep, I was right. Maine doesn't have a "leash law". There is an "at large" law, which makes absolutely NO reference to a leash at all.

According to Title 7, section. 3911 it is “unlawful for any dog… to be at large, except when used for hunting.” “At large” is defined at Title 7, section 3907, sub-section 6. It does not specify that a dog has to be on a leash. Municipalities can enact local ordinances requiring dogs to be on leashes.

The actual law AND the definition of "at large":

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/7/title7sec3911.html

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/7/title7sec3907.html

A couple of years ago while at one of the streets in Bangor I was watching a single dog

just walking up the street on its way to somewhere & as I was watching it disappear I

Thought " now Thats A Free Dog " Ho for my childhood days back in the 50s !

Bob Cushing

Lakeland , Fl.

Formily 29 West St,

Bangor,Me.

jc_bob99@yahoo.com

I'd Love to hear from U

How a leash law works varies from state to state and municipality to municipality. What its primary function is, is to protect the public from agressive animals. If you are attacked by a dog and it was running free, you have a lawsuit. This is to get compensation for any injuries to you.

My elderly neighbor had a run in with two pit bulls. Twice. The first time he was roughed up a bit and pushed to the ground. Another neighbor was able to stop it. The next time he was armed and when they attacked him again, he shot both of them. The dog owner didn't have a leg to stand in court and was fined and had to pay restitution. By the way the old man had a CWP and knew how to use his 44 Mag quite well thank you. Scared the living hell out of me when I heard those two rounds go off, I tell ya.

My point is you have stupid dogs if the owners are stupid and think that they can control their animals. Under some conditions dogs will revert to what they may think is survival mode. No one can tell when their dog will feel threatened. Leashing them up is a safe way to keep them under control and to also protect them from injury.

On 12/16/09 at 6:59 PM, Centaurmyst wrote:

caveman...I actually am pretty sure the Maine leash law isn't what you think it is. I looked it up recently and a dog in Maine is considered to be "under control" if the owner is present with it, and a leash is not required. I looked this up at the time that mail carrier pepper sprayed the young girl and her puppy.

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/7/title7sec3907.html /// these are definitions as in INDEX... NOT laws!

Now I did read further and found that laws have changed since I got involved with the research. My mistake, I should have re-read what I was going by from my early 1990 research.

I will still defy any law enforcer to find a problem with my well mannered and licensed therapy dog. Happy Holidays!

Leash laws are a necessary to keep animals safe. Drivers in Bangor are wreckless.

Centaurmyst, what hogwash about what dogs need for "proper" exercise! Are you even aware that greyhounds should never be allowed outside of a fenced area without being leashed?

The proposal isn't to ban dogs from the trails at City Forest. The proposal is to require dogs to be on a leash while at City Forest. And no, most owners of aggressive dogs do not know any better. In fact, even dogs that aren't aggressive are dangerous, because they can dart in front of bicyclists.

One of our children got bit by a dog at a local park a few years ago. Called animal control because we wanted the dog impounded. City hall couldn't get ahold of her and she never returned my call.

i think most animal owners in general, are responsible pet owners. leash laws are something that needs to be implemented especially on public property, it protects the dog from running loose and perhaps getting lost, it protects the other people walking, and the other people walking their animals. my labs dont like the leash either, but you better belive out in public, thats what their on, for their own protection. pet owners know that their responsible for their animals, and their animals actions. i also think that given the chance to beable to take their animals for a nice walk on the trials, they,d obey the leash laws.i dont see this as a big problem, but than again there,ll always be a few that wrecks it for everyone else.

I love dogs- but I think this is a great idea.

Now- what will we do about all the darned cats wandering around?

chersully2000 wrote:

"HarrySnyder: You are funny." Funny Ha Ha, or funny strange?

"Merry Christmas, Harry!"

Season's Greetings (just to piss off the xtians out there!)

I agree with Hampden1,

I think most people's pet peeves (pardon the pun) about dogs in public is their poo being left behind, not if they are on a leash or not.

Dog Owners should be required to have doggy bags with them whenever out in public with their dogs.

I think they'd be more likely to pick up their dogs messes if they had a dog bag already with them.

We would be better off having Doggy Bag Dispensers at the start of any Bangor City Forests Trails and Parks!

Lets have trust in our fellow countrymen that they would not let a blood thirsty dogs out on the loose!

Lets have trust in our fellow countrymen, that they will pick up their dogs messes,

And lets give them a hand incase they forget their doggy bag,

And provide doggy bag dispensers at public trails and parks.

Putting a leash on politicians might be a better idea.

I'll unleash my dog when I get a good fence put up. If I wanted him to have a good run elsewhere, it would be on private property. I never posted my land and I always thought dog owners could use ti just like hunters could use it. Some people asked for permission but I don't think they needed to do that.

A burglar broke into a house one Christmas night looking for presents when the family was not home. He shined his flashlight around, looking, when a voice in the dark said,

'Jesus knows you're here.' He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze.

When he heard nothing more , after a bit, he shook his head and continued. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard 'Jesus is watching you.'

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot. 'Did you say that?' he hissed at the parrot.

'Yep', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that he is watching you.'

The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'

'Moses,' replied the bird.

'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

'The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'

Hong_Kong what kind of dog do you have?

I still vividly remember the Day when working a job Liberty Maine

I took a walk at lunch time down the road a piece

When 2 Saint Bernards came running up the road at Me

One bit me on the leg while the other was jumping in My Face

I will never know what would of happened

For the owner came running up the road after them

Now that was way back in the Day

If Today I would of probably sued him as I had a witness

Can you imagine if I had been a small Kid of 5 or 6. Ya<<

~~~

How many Times Dogs have come running out of homeowners yards at me

While riding by on my motorcycle~I can not count

The owners sometimes are yelling at Fighto

But guess What the Next Time down that road there Is Fighto

Doing the very same Thing

God is Great~~Beer is Good~~And A Lot of People are Flat Out Crazy<<

All dogs should have a leash, otherwise everyone is going to run around claiming their dog is perfect and obeys well, then what are we going to have someone give dogs an field sobriety test of some sort to determine if it is true?

They can waste their time making the laws but Bangor as well as many other places already have enforcement issues. You are not going to go to a trail and find all dogs on a leash everyday.

"How many Times Dogs have come running out of homeowners yards at me

While riding by on my motorcycle~I can not count

The owners sometimes are yelling at Fighto

But guess What the Next Time down that road there Is Fighto

Doing the very same Thing ":

It happens to me often, I circle around and have my .45 out on the pass...

What another law that won't be enforced?

What happened to adults not smoking in cars with young children? Take a drive through Bangor and just see how many cars you pass where the driver window is slightly rolled down and the driver blowing clouds of smoke out the window while a child sits in the back seat.

How many cars do you pass on a rainy day yet no headlights are on?

Seems like we are good at passing these laws to show our good intent yet there is limited expense to enforcing these great laws.

Heartily agree with the comment made earlier about "if you are stupid about training your dog you will get a stupid dog", Stupid is as stupid does.

I completely agree that dogs should be on a leash when out of their yards. For their protection. They may all be well trained but they are animals and there is always some thing, some where, which may gather their attention and cause them to run across the street unexpectedly.

It's already a State law, which covers every city and town.. The State law is very cut and dry, all dogs on a leash when in public...

Akgoog, you're wrong. Please read previous comments regarding state law.