New policy requires owners to walk dogs on leash at Fort Ord trails

Hundreds of people have signed a petition seeking to get the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to rescind its new rule forcing dog owners to keep dogs leashed while at Fort Ord National Monument.

The BLM said the leash law is for the safety of the pets while munitions cleanup continues.

For more than 20 years, dogs were allowed to roam freely at Fort Ord. Now their owners are required to keep them on a tight leash. Some dog owners want a say in how the policy is decided.

Greg Galin, who lives near Fort Ord, said having his 10-year-old dog, Malcolm on a leash during their walks doesn’t feel right. When Galin found out about the leash law mandated by the BLM, he was upset.

“The public was not engaged in the making of this policy and I think that there are much more creative solutions out there that are much more sensitive to all the users, including pets,” Galin said.

Within a week, Galin already has more than 300 signatures on a petition to reverse the law.

BLM manager Eric Morgan said he understands the concern but stresses this policy is just a 12-month trial period. Morgan said the main reason for the policy is public safety.

“Behind me, for example, is a newly identified munition site that has remnants of old military training,” said Morgan.

Morgan said the munitions are underneath brush off the main trails, putting dogs and their owners at risk.

The policy still frustrates some owners. One owner said her dogs get more exercise off leash.

Another reason for the policy is to keep dogs from getting into fights while off leash.

Jake is a golden retriever pup with lots of energy. Jake’s owner Laura Cederstrom said she is all for the leash law.

“Because he is such a spaz, and he’ll go after other dogs if he’s not on a leash, and there are lots of bikes around here and people, so I’m for it,” said Cederstrom.

It’s not just problems with other dogs. The Fort Ord managers said last year 15 sheep were attacked by dogs off leash.

The BLM said a citation for a dog off leash could be up to $175. This summer, the BLM will hold public hearings to discuss long term plans and the public is encouraged to give input. News Channel 5 will keep you posted when those meetings are decided.