Dogs destroying sensitive plants, biting people, and attacking wild animals have led the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to remind visitors that dogs must be leashed at all times when visiting the park.
According to a news release from Park Superintendent Ann Honious, dogs are welcome on the trails, but rules must be followed to protect the pets, other visitors, and the park. A key rule is that all dogs must be on a six-foot leash.
More than three million people visit the park each year. New scents and sights can overwhelm even a well-behaved and trained pet.
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Several past incidents in the park involving unleashed pets have caused damage and created issues for park visitors and staff, including:
- Unleashed dogs running off trails have damaged rare and sensitive plants.
- Park staff have been bitten by unleashed dogs, with one ranger bitten three times.
- An unleashed dog attacked a baby beaver, which had to be euthanized because of its injuries.
- An unleashed dog jumped on a visitor, resulting in a broken wrist.
- Park volunteers who had confrontations with aggressive dogs have begun carrying protective items.
Leashing a pet protects it from potential dangers such as venomous snakes, coyotes, poisonous plants, and unsafe water.
To educate owners on best practices for visiting the park with their best friends, the B.A.R.K. Ranger program is offered daily at the Island Ford Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants earn a certificate and have their dogs sworn in as official B.A.R.K. Rangers.
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