Members of the Valley Dog Network met Tuesday, March 15, to discuss current challenges related to dogs and the Mad River Path.
The Valley Dog Network was formed last spring; following a well-attended Valley dog summit, the group has been working to investigate and implement solutions to issues concerning river contamination as a result of dog waste, among other things.
So far, the dog network has secured donations to cover the cost of 2.5 dog waste disposal stations; the receptacles cost approximately $230 each.
Mad River Path Association director Autumn Foushee said she has submitted a grant to the Rotary Club to sponsor three of the dog waste receptacles in addition to signage reminding dog owners about leash regulations and waste disposal.
Town regulations do not allow dogs to run off-leash anywhere in the town. MRPA asks that all dogs be leashed on the path to comply with the town ordinance as well as to respect the wishes of the many cooperative landowners.
Currently there are no official public places in The Valley that specifically allow dogs to be off-leash.
MRPA board president Laura Brines said, “When you mention dog park, you end up getting a really intense reaction from a lot of people.”
On Tuesday, March 15, Valley Dog Network members brainstormed potential sites in The Valley where dogs could be permitted to run off-leash. While several areas in The Valley are informally considered off-leash areas by residents, there has yet to be an officially designated leash-free parcel.
Since dogs are not permitted off-leash anywhere along the greenway, dog network members cited the need for an appropriate leash-free alternative.
“The Greenway was always a place to be leashed; at some point there was a myth that the west side was leash-free,” Brines said.
A survey of local dog owners completed last spring indicates that 69.5 percent of the total 69 respondents are familiar with the policy regarding dogs and leashes set forth by the MRPA and local towns’ ordinances.
Of those surveyed, 52.1 percent said they tend to walk or run their dogs off-leash and 21.7 percent said they use leashes. On whether dog owners would use a designated leash-free trail or dog park, the majority of the responses were “never” and “infrequently.”
When asked whether they currently use dog waste stations on the Mad River Greenway, responses indicated the majority never use them or use them infrequently.
In addition to their efforts to educate the public about the rules and regulations, the Valley Dog Network has also invited the residents to sign cards of appreciation to the Neill family for use of the Greenway; cards are available at Kenyon’s, Village Grocery, The Warren Store and the General Wait House.
For more information about the MRPA dog policy or to view the full survey results, visit www.madriverpath.com.
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