New dog rules on the way for DNRT trails in Dartmouth

The new rule will help with the biggest problem the DNRT says it gets calls about — uncontrolled dogs.

DARTMOUTH — If you usually walk more than three dogs at a time on any of the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust trails, you'll have to start leaving some of the pooches at home.

Beginning Aug. 15, the DNRT will enact a new rule that limits the number of dogs being walked per adult to three.

The new rule will help with the biggest problem the DNRT says it gets calls about — uncontrolled dogs.

By limiting the number of dogs per adult walking the trails, more attention can be given to the ones being walked, and the DNRT hopes there will be fewer incidents of dogs running at or chasing trail users.

“It’s been an ongoing issue,” said Kendra Murray, DNRT Development and Outreach Specialist.

“Dogs are allowed to be off-leash. The issue is with dogs running away from their owners,” she said.

While most walkers have one or two dogs with them, the new rule would mostly impact professional dog walkers who have multiple dogs with them as part of their job.

“It makes a lot of sense,” said Lorna Miles, of Westport, who was walking her dog, Gracie, at Destruction Brook Woods in Dartmouth on Friday. She said she walks Gracie about once a week on this trail and has never run into a problem of someone with multiple dogs having one get away and bothering her or Gracie.

“The DNRT is pretty clear about the importance of dog owners being able to manage their dogs,” Miles said.

“I could see where this could be a problem,” said Anna Stankiewicz, who was also walking the Destruction Brook Woods trail with her dog, Finn. She said she’s run into instances when walking Finn at non-DNRT properties where another dog has come up to her and Finn and the owner “was nowhere in sight.”

There are signs posted at all DNRT trails letting dog walkers know about the forthcoming new rule.

Asked how it would be enforced, Murray said if a DNRT person notices someone with more than three dogs walking the trails, the dog walker would be reminded of the new rule and asked to keep within the limit in the future. She said if any person has an issue with someone not adhering to the new rule, they can call the DNRT and let them know.

According the DNRT regulations, dogs must be under control at all times — by either voice command or leash. Even if the dog is off-leash, the person walking the dog must still have a leash with them, and the dog must be able to heel on voice command.

According to the DNRT website: "With each additional dog you walk, the less attention you are devoting to each dog. This increases the chances of you not noticing what your dog is doing. Most dogs behave like toddlers and when they see something interesting they will go and investigate. This leads them to run off and possibly out of your sight. They then could confront another dog (which might be shy or nervous) or jump on another trail user."

This new rule will help reduce the number of dog-related incidents. It will help keep both trail users and dogs safe, allowing both to have an enjoyable experience on our trails, the website noted.

As the note on its Dog Rules sign reminds walkers: "Remember, not everyone loves your dog as much as you do."