This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
My friends and I recently ventured on a hike up Millcreek Canyon on an even-number day when dogs are required to be on leashes. As usual, the canyon was busy and virtually none of the dogs were restrained by leashes in spite of numerous signs stating that such is the law.
Beyond the closed gate the road is littered with dog droppings everywhere and plastic bags of poop in hopes that the feces fairy will swoop down during the night and rid the canyon of this foul sight that dog owners thoughtlessly leave behind.
Law enforcement officers occasionally find the time to write tickets. However, limited resources require that their time be spent on more important assignments such as shootouts, traffic accidents and medical emergencies.
It's time to admit that the grand experiment is over and has failed. Dog owners simply will not obey the leash law.
People should be able to enjoy the beauty of Millcreek Canyon without being barked at, pawed at, chased, snarled at and bitten by other people's dogs that they refuse to control. Dogs should be permanently banned from Millcreek Canyon just as they are in both Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons.
Larry L. Bench
Sandy