‘Being a responsible dog owner’: Why even ‘good’ pups must be leashed in Cedar City parks

CEDAR CITY — There are some things pet owners should know when planning a day of summer fun with their furry friends in Cedar City.

A dog rests on a U.S. Forest Service trail, Duck Creek, Utah, date not specified Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

“I think part of it is being understanding of other people with dogs as well,” said Anthony Pearson, the division head of Cedar City’s Parks and Outdoor Facilities department. “I think a lot of people think their dogs are fine, and they might trust it without a leash, but with other people around, dogs can still be unpredictable.”

If an unleashed canine approaches another dog, even if it’s on a leash, there’s an opportunity for an attack, Pearson said.

“It comes down to respecting other owners’ space with their animals,” he said, adding that there are various reasons a pet owner may not want another animal approaching their dog.

For this reason, Pearson told Cedar City News that recreators should keep their dogs on a leash in all city parks and along trails. While the dogs may behave for their owners, things can change “once you enter a different world with different people and different animals involved.”

A dog wanders through a grassy field, Cedar City, Utah, date not specified Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

Dogs are allowed in some of the city’s parks, which are marked by signs. Pearson said dogs are not permitted in sports complexes or on the beach at the Lake at the Hills, regardless of whether they are leashed. The city makes exceptions for service dogs.

Ken Nielson, Cedar City’s Leisure Services director, said that despite this rule, people often use sports complexes as dog parks because they’re fenced in. Pearson added that this can be dangerous due to the presence of crowds and children. Additionally, it can cause “a lot of messes and headaches.”

“We have had incidents where people have been bit during baseball games and stuff like that just by walking by somebody’s dog,” Pearson said, adding, “Ultimately, it’s a hazard for the kids and people that play on the fields because not everybody cleans up after themselves.”

While there is no dog park in Cedar City, Southern Utahns can visit the Enoch PetSafe Dog Park and are encouraged to use the city’s trails. Additionally, Pearson said that some residents take their dogs into the nearby hillsides to run loose. However, pet owners should check with the local Bureau of Land Management office to learn more about leash rules in the areas they wish to visit.

Cedar City officials encourage visitors to use “Mutt Mitt” stations to clean up dog waste while recreating in local parks or walking trails, Cedar City, Utah, July 23, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

For instance, trails throughout Dixie National Forest allow dogs as long as they are leashed, including these popular trails near Cedar City: Bristlecone Pine, Duck Creek Pond, Aspen Mirror and Cascade Falls. Canine companions can be let off the leash in many parts of Three Peaks Recreation Area, according to the Utah Office of Tourism.

However, some dogs have been caught in traps, and if they chase other animals, it can be dangerous for both pets and wildlife, the office states. So, pet owners should keep a close eye on their furry friends or keep them on a leash.

Nielson said there are “Mutt Mitt” dog waste stations and trash cans throughout outdoor facilities and reminds visitors to clean up after their dogs when using city parks and trails.

Additionally, Nielson said local pet owners have been “pretty good” about leashing their dogs when asked and cleaning up after themselves.

“That’s being a responsible dog owner,” he said.

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