Mill Creek threatening the leash

Leaders at the Wasatch-Cache National Forest are threatening to push for changes to Mill Creek Canyon's off-leash rules.

They're hoping the threats might whip dog owners back into shape before the drastic measures are required.

While the canyon has always had issues with dogs, problems have escalated to the point that dogs may have to be on leashes more often, forest leaders say.

"If they don't follow the rules there may not be any choice in the future but to do further restrictions," Carol Majeske, recreation supervisor for the Salt Lake Ranger District, said.

A growing group of dog owners aren't keeping their dogs leashed on days when they are supposed to, she said.

"Those who choose not to follow the rules may ruin it for the dog owners that are complying," Majeske said.

Of course, the Forest Service can't mandate stricter rules but they could pressure Salt Lake County to adopt more restrictions. Winter has always been the worst time of year for dog conflicts as cross-county skiers often clash with off-leash canines.

"It's always been a problem. In the winter it just is compounded," Lorraine Januzelli, spokeswoman for Wasatch-Cache National Forest, said.

Frequently, bounding dogs cross the paths of skiers coming downhill and cause them to crash. Off-leash dogs also harass wildlife and are often seen chasing moose and other wildlife in the canyon, Majeske said.

"It's just a stressful situation for wildlife who are already stressed out in the winter," Majeske said.

Salt Lake County Animal Services has been called to the canyon 12 times this year for various reasons, including dogs running at large.

"One was a pretty serious dog bite," Animal Services spokeswoman Temma Martin said.

One problem with the canyon is that the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office won the contract to do animal control service there. Animal Services, then, only goes to the canyon when the sheriff's office calls them for backup.

"Mill Creek's always been a little bit of a difficult situation," Martin said.

By county ordinance, dogs are only allowed to be off leashes in Mill Creek Canyon on odd-numbered days. On even days all dogs are required to be leashed.