If you've been following along I have expressed some mild frustration in a couple of entries about restrictions for pets at locations I have been visiting recently. Dogs in the Cottonwood Canyons (near Salt Lake City) - prohibited. At Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, and Bryce National Parks - no dogs on the (usually short) trails to the overlooks. At Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado dogs are okay on the overlooks. Though restricted in some areas of Yellowstone, Roxie even got to visit Old Faithful when we were there in July. At Grand Canyon (I just learned this morning) the overlook trails are okay for dogs, however they are not permitted in the backcountry (consistent with other parks and reasonable). And no dogs are allowed on the backcountry trails in Grand Staircase-Escalante, though, as I noted yesterday, cows are still allowed to spoil the landscape. Though I may be incorrect, my best guess is that these regulations must somehow be local in nature since it has been my experience thus far that they are limited to parks/monuments in this state.
What prompted this rant happened just a few minutes ago when I was walking Roxie near the RV park here in Kanab. Next door is the local fire station and, as it is situated on a "Y", there happens to be a lot of city owned "greenspace". Next to the sidewalk I noticed a sign declaring that animals are not allowed on said greenspace and that violations could result in a fine of up to $750.00
Maybe I am missing something here, but Utah, you seem to have some weird hangups about canine pets. I haven't a clue as to the reasons for your phobias, but you really, really need to get over them.
Punish those who don't clean up after them or can't control them if need be, but leave those of use who are responsible owners (along with my wallet, keys, and AMEX card, I don't leave home without "poop bags") the hell alone.
Addendum:
A few "dogs and National Parks" notes:
Acadia: 100 miles of trails which are open to leashed pets
Big Bend: not on trails, can go "wherever your car can go"
Glacier: not on trails, otherwise restrained with max. 6 foot leash
Olympic: okay on 3 of the beaches if leashed, not on trails
Rocky Mountain: not on trails, otherwise restrained with max. 6 foot leash
Sequoia-Kings Canyon: not on trails, otherwise restrained with max. 6 foot leash
Theodore Roosevelt: not on trails, restrained with max. 6 foot leash, "don't mix well with Bison"
Yosemite: allowed if leashed on paved trails (which would include, based upon my most recent visit, some of the waterfalls and viewpoints including Glacier Point)
These are just a few examples from a bit of quick web research and, though somewhat generalized, sufficiently illustrate my point. The NPS understandably has restrictions regarding keeping dogs out of the backcountry and I don't have a problem with that whatsoever and, in fact, wholeheartedly agree with them. Not being permitted to walk 100 or 200 feet from a parking area to a canyon overlook on an asphalt or cement walkway is another thing entirely and, to be blunt, phenomenally absurd. And based upon what I have seen it still appears as though the "canine problem" is pretty much limited to Utah.