Geez! Caught another one. I meant to say "shouldn't be allowed".
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Missed my afternoon nap.

The logic that wild animals leave their business outside, does not mean you as a dog owner are justified in not cleaning up after your pet.

You would have to be very stupid to think that this was your excuse.

Someone was watching the dog crap so they had to pick it up jvldss. They then deposit in your yard at their earliest convenience.

The people who stump me are the ones who do actually clean up after their dogs but then throw the bags in my corner landscaping. I have to fish those bags out every couple of weeks.

Good Lord! I don't know if I had too much coffee or not enough today! I meant to type "Bassinthumb". Holy moly!

Baaainthumb - You and me both! (Regarding the retractable leashes.) I personally think they should be allowed in areas where there are or could be other people. They don't have control over your animal. I don't care what they say.

Ouisch -- you hit the nail on the head for me. Until someone can guarantee that I (a middle-aged female) will not be attacked by the so-called "nuts" that seem to frequent the trails now and then, I will walk with my dog. I pick up my dog's droppings AND any that I find left behind by less considerate dog owners. If I'm ever fined for having a dog on the trail during the "busy season", I will gladly pay the fine...and do it again.

Yeah let's hand out fines. Do you think they can catch any of the phantom poopers in the act? How many fines do people get littering our highways a year? Few compared to the bags of garbage the adopt a highway people pick up out of the ditches. Fido's droppings would be the same.

Or maybe we could take DNA samples of the dogs and then match the offending turds against the database! That may be the answer.

Anyone can take a dump on the sidewalk and leave it or get startled when someone comes up from behind quietly. I'd say -just fine the people if they don't take responsibility for their dogs -but I have no faith anyone will patrol the walkway and give out any fines. I'm sure women using the trail alone would like to be able to bring their dog in light of the past nuts that have frequented it.

"I think they should allow it ! I have noticed quite a few obese dogs as of late.
They need to get out and play,just laying around eating biscuits watching squirrels and birds is not healthy ! Soon it will simply get out of control. Depression is a factor as well,especially when watching the Westminster Dog Show."

It is all Ronnie McDs fault you know!!

"(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of dogs by the blind or handicapped persons or WAGS dogs in training."
So who picks up the visually impared service dogs poop?
Just wondering !)

I had neighbors that neve rpicked up the poop on my terrace all the time. I just kicked it to their driveway!! I should have put it in abag sand lit it up !^}

Hubby was on the roof one day and a guys dog pooped on our side walk and he looked around to be sure nobody was watching and then left it there. Hubby was going to yell. I said why didn't you it would have been so funny to bust the guy!!

My only question is what is wrong with the regular sidewalks? It isn't like they are not "open for business".
So with that being said since you can walk you dog on ALL regular sidewalks why should this one be different? What if ALL regular sidewalks had lots of foot traffic then no dogs on those anymore?
If it is on a leash what is the big deal? IT it is a mean dog muzzel it or don't take it to heavy populated sidewalks.

Only if it means they will stop walking them on my sidewalk and letting them go all over my lawn.

I have ridden hundreds of miles on the Janesville trails. Dog walkers will never understand they need to know what's going on 360 degrees around them. I've been lunged at numerous times by startled dogs. The dogs' owners take off their ipod and say, "Sorry he doesn't usually bite."

li713 - Yes, my daughter needs help? No, the irresponsible pet owners need to be punished. I will deal with my daughter as I see fit, thank you! There is no enforcement of the rules now. So, since dogs are only biting people at home lets expose everyone to them so they can bite more people. I am glad you love your animal. But, keep it at home in your own yard. Are your removing the urine too? As the dogs scratch up the grass and tear up an area and urinate all over to mark their terrritory are you cleaning that up. Leave the damn dog at home. My yard, the bike trail, the park, the playground should not be for livestock or other things some people like to pretend are people. The pound is mentioned because invaribly the argument turns to aren't pet owners wonderful loving people. And I say, some are and some are not. Take you dog to the dog park and leave the rest of us in peace.

IMO - Since you brought it up, 61% of dog bites occur in the home or familiar place. 77% of dog bite victims are friends or family. I don't see how bringing up the dogs at the pound proves anything. Obviously the owners who's dogs end up there are not owners anymore and are not the ones advocating for dogs to be allowed in more of the parks and trails. Responsible dog owners are people like myself who adopt a dog from the humane society. Dogs should never be allowed to jump, especially on strangers or children. Irresponsible dog owners allow this. It sounds like what your daughter needs is some interaction with a well behaved dog with a responsible owner. Dogs exist. Expecting that she should never be faced with any kind of dog ever because she's afraid isn't the solution. Allowing her to see dogs in public behaving on a leash would probably be a good way to reassure her that not all dogs are going to hurt her. And either way, as a responsible dog owner that is not going to allow my dog near your child who doesn't know it, that walks on a leash shorter than the legal limit, that always cleans up after my animal, that does not allow her to jump or bark (unnecessarily), why should I not be allowed to have my dog in public because someone else is afraid? Laws exist for a reason. Don't complain to those of us that are obeying the laws about some people that don't like it's some kind of justification for your cause. If people don't obey the driving laws, it isn't the fault of all vehicle owners. How is this any different?

Telling them it is their responsibility doesn't get the poop picked up "concerned". The few will ruin it for the many, but that's tough. Leave it as it is.

I'm glad someone brought up the safety issues on the trails. One of the main reasons I use the trails less is that as a female I do not feel safe going alone. There is a history of attacks on women in broad daylight on the trails in Janesville. Few of those crimes were ever solved. I was once followed by a vehicle from the area near Rotary Gardens through Palmer park on a Saturday afternoon. I used to carry pepper spray, but the chances I could use that effectively while on rollerblades is unlikely. The only part of the trail I use regularly now is the part near Afton Road because I can take my dog.
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The key to effectiveness of any law is education and enforcement. I understand that there are irresponsible dog owners out there, but there are also irresponsible vehicle owners, irresponsible parents, irresponsible bicyclers....all of those have nearly injured me at some point while I've been using the trail. None of them are banned. If a program is written correctly by the city, with the help of local organizations and proper enforcement this could work in Janesville.

So many other cities seem to allow this. So I say it is about time it is allowed in Janesville too. However, I do believe that owners need to pick up after their dog. If you are a dog owner, that is your responsibility.

Remember 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year in this county. The majority of them are children. You want to expose us to more of this? The kid should wear a bicycle helmet and knee pads and shin guards, but let the dogs have at her?

Why is it that there is not place with out dogs anymore? Please, I do not want to hear one more person reassuring my scared daughter on her bike, that the dog will not bite her. No, it will not because I will snap it's neck if it touches her. These dogs on long leashes and no leashes running up to kids and people on bikes are ill trained for taking in public. I have lived in Europe where people brought their dogs in bars, restaurants and other stores. I have to say I was generally unaware they were there. I never had a dog run at me or jump on me. I never had to freeze while walking down the sidewalk while the dog asseses me. But, all of these things have happened in Janesville. Give us one sanctuary of peace please. People even walk their dogs on school playgrounds here, which is against the law by the way. And please do not say what great people dog owners are, just go to the shelter and tell those poor dogs how great their owners were.

When joggers run with dogs they don't use a leash. So, there's no way they're going to stop and pick up the poop.

Please don't pull any legal arguments into this issue, as the question being posed isn't should or shouldn't dogs be allowed on the trails. It is should they be allowed year round, if someone gets bit, it won't matter what month it is.

Dumb rule, but that is just my opinion.

Well if Steve's friend wants to and promises to pick up her dogs poop I guess the rest of us be damned.

I think they should allow it ! I have noticed quite a few obese dogs as of late.
They need to get out and play,just laying around eating biscuits watching squirrels and birds is not healthy ! Soon it will simply get out of control. Depression is a factor as well,especially when watching the Westminster Dog Show.

I'll say yes. It's OK. My friend wants to jog but doesn't feel comfortable jogging alone. She wants to take her dog year-round. If she picks up any messes then I say OK.

I live close to the Oak Leaf Bike Trail in Milwaukee County, and run and walk it often.
Dogs are allowed on the trail. Poop bags and drop stations are provided,and dogs are required to be on a leash. The fine for dogs off leash is $200,50, the fine for not picking up poop is also $200,50 . Neither is enforced,so a minority of dog owners do not follow the rules and poop is left on or next to the trail. Our friends dog which was on leash was bitten by an off leash dog last year. I think most of the dog owners in Janesville would respect the trail rules , however, should you allow dogs on the trail , expect to see poop and dogs running off leash.

Yes!
Why is goose poo considered ok??
Dog owners are required to
pick up after them!
Who cleans up after the geese??!!!

This issue is fraught with perplexing problems. I simply worry about various legal issues that could face users of the trails and the city itself. Will all animals using the trails be licensed and have current shots listed and updated. Will the owners all have enough insurance in force to cover costs of bites or attacks? Will cyclists have city licenses and enough insurance to cover the cost of accidents with pedestrians or their pets? Will non-residents help defray costs of trail operation and maintenance by paying a special user fee at the Parks Dept. and sign a waiver of responsibility form for the city? Will the city be held harmless in any potential accidents or attacks? Will we have to increase the number of police officers and increase the number of patrols to monitor the trails due to increased use? Can we afford the tax consequences of the more complicated legal implications? I hope someone with adequate legal training offers advice on this concern.

If the dog wants to ride a bike on the trail, I am OK with that.

There is a reason they call them "Bike Trails" and not Dog Trails

Enough blathering about the safety issue. Yes, it must be included in the consideration, but it's a minor reason. So many comments from infrequent or non-users. The primary reason is the high percentage of residents too dumb or lazy to pick up after their animal. As a daily user, I don't need a calendar to tell me when it's September 15. Dog piles appear everywhere in the weeks betwen then and the first snow. The spring is just as bad. You can't fix stupid so you make laws.

So does this no dog walking on the trails from May 15 - Sept 15, mean that there is no bike riders allowed on city sidewalks from May 15 - Sept 15? Seems like a fair trade off.....

I live in an area that is not close to the dog park and has no sidewalks, yet is very close to the trail. Sad that my dog & I can't use that to walk & have to be subject to the crazy drivers.

Fort Atkinson allows them on the trails, and I have never seen a problem, but their trails are set up with drop stations, and bags, supplied by a friends group.

I say no. It could create situations that lead to accidents and injuries on the trail. Also, some will not be responsible for doggy do clean up.

The trail is much busier after May 15 as there are more people walking or riding on it, thus the May 15th. rule. I bike the trail almost daily from March until the first snowfall. The biggest problem I have is when I come up behind someone with a dog on a leash is that sometimes the owner will be on one side of the trail and the dog will be on the other with the leash across the trail. Even when the dog is beside the owner, How do I know that the dog isn't going jump out in front of me and I will end up doing a header because of the leash? The 25' retractable leashes are the worst even though the leash law clearly says it must be a maximum of 6'. When I encounter someone with a retractable leash, I come to a near complete stop until I know where the dog is going to go. I vote No dogs ever. I will stay out of their dog parks, they should stay off our bike/walking trails.

It's my experience that too many of the dog owners in this area take their dogs where ever they feel like it whether it is clearly posted or not, so what would be the point of even having this discussion? The problem is not the animal, it is the irresponsible and lazy pet owner that is the problem. If they would clean up after their dogs like they are supposed to, or be curteous of others using the trail, there would be no need for discussion. And for those of you who walk your dogs ON the ski trails in the winter, how cool are you to screw up one of the few free luxuries this area has to offer.

Seems as if the city is just following the same general laws set by the State here. Most State parks require dogs to either (A) not be allowed in some areas or (B) be on a leash when on state owened lands from May 15 to Sept 15. This is more due to the issue of birds and other animals seasons to nest and give birth and not allowing that to be disturbed durring this time period. But that is state lands and most of those it is a leash law not a no dogs allowed law for those months. I think it was the citys easy way out years ago for inside the parks. But the bike trail is a diffrent situation.

I recently moved to Janesville and found it odd that they would ban dogs from the trails during the "prime" walking months.

I think part of the dog poo problem is that there is no trash containers for drop off, so the owner has to keep it for the entire walk. Why not set up a few trash cans at various street/trail crossings?

Oh and if I keep my dog on a leash, pick up after him & use the fields when they are empty, why can I not take my dogs (on a leash) for a walk through school fields?

NO DOGS...I don't like the dogs on the trails ever....We use the trail daily (weather permitting) and have seen dogs after May 15th often....and we've seen the reminders that they (and their owners) leave behind...We mentioned to a multiple dog walker on the trail in June last year that the trail was closed to dogs and the owner was quite sure that he, as a taxpayer, had the right to take his dogs anywhere he wanted and that the "city workers" get their pay from him, therefore the "city workers" should clean up any waste...We love dogs and clean up after ours and always keep her on a leash....why can't people just follow the rules? Love dogs..it's the owners with the problems

Walk your dog at your own risk. I once saw a dog get his muzzle stuck in a set of bike spokes. Not pretty.

Why are people roller blading and walking on bike trails? If all this is acceptable, then can someone explain the big difference between a city sidewalk and one of these trails? Sidewalks are narrower, when im walking my dog and I meet someone, I either go into the yard or street to avoid them. Much more difficult then when im on one of the trails. The trail along the river is wide enough to drive a car on, so not sure what the problem with dogs would be. ???

Never seen a problem at Afton Rd park which is good as it was a dog park til the city decided to pave a bike trail through it. Users seem to respect each other. And if you/your dog is jumpy, you can use the unpaved trail closer to the river w/out encountering bikes.

westorbust, the percentages are the other way around. 95% of the people who take their dogs off their own property think that the world is just one big toilett for their dogs.

no

These trails are for people! No dogs, please!

If you are coming around a corner or a blind spot so fast that you run into a dog... you could run into anything. For the sake of everyone else I hope you dont drive like you rollerblade.

I wouldn't want my dog to accidentally plow over someone. Shes loveable and friendly, but anything on wheels put her into a state of mind that I can't control off of a leash. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen against me AND the city. There are plenty of people with pets like mine that dont give a hoot...

Many people are not aware of the Rock County Park Rules, which excludes dogs from some areas in the county parks. Even county parks require the dog be on a lead.

(17) Pets. (a) Dogs, cats and other domesticated pets shall be allowed in all county parks except within picnic areas, playgrounds, ball diamonds or any posted prohibited areas. Exception is made for those visually impaired and using an assist dog. Persons must keep any pet on a six-foot maximum lead and control the animal to prevent it from interfering in any manner with the enjoyment of the area by others.
(b) Except for visually or physically impaired persons, any person in immediate control of a dog, cat or other pet shall promptly remove any fecal matter deposited by such pet in any park and transmit the excrement to property owned or occupied by such person. Any person causing or permitting such pet to be in any park shall have in his or her immediate possession a device or object suitable for removing excrement and a depository suitable for transmitting the excrement to the property owned or occupied by such person.
(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of dogs by the blind or handicapped persons or WAGS dogs in training.

...intersting that this subject came up.. I was just irritated the other day when I wanted to take my dog for a walk and realized the nice scenic trail along the river was closed now for my dog.

YES!!!!! One runs right near my house and it sucks.. I see very few bikers on it, occasionally walkers. What would it hurt to walk my dog on it?? I did in early May when it was warm, seen some bikers and walkers...didnt have an issue... so why is there an issue after May 15th? Its not like after May 15th the trails just become over ran with dogs... and mine stopped and peed.. but off in the grass....harmless.
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To me it seems like they want to close off all other areas you can exercise your dog at so you have to shell out money to get a permit to go to the dog park. I dont see the difference between city sidewalks and the trails.

No problem with dogs on the trails, but please keep them on a leash and be aware of other people. I think 95% of the people who actually take the time to walk their dog are responsible owners and probably aware of what is going on around them. As usual, it's the 5% that screw it up for everyone else.

Actually, that explains a lot.

Grumpy_Old_Man

Keep in mind that some of us who are on the walking trails are hearing impaired.

No.

Idiots also own bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, and children. They're still allowed to use the trails year round.

Oops, that's "make LIFE hard."

My parents' house is next to Bond park, and I can't tell you how many times, year-round, that there are people there who let their dogs off the leash - if there is even a leash in sight. I have spoken up to many of them. Usually they are rude jerks who know full well they are breaking the law but don't care because, by golly, they pay their taxes and they are going to do whatever they want. Once, I saw a couple leave the park and start letting their dog do his business on our terrace - I grabbed a bag and went out and said, "Do you need a BAG?" Guy says, "Yeah, ours got used." OK - you don't like carrying around your dog's poop in case of a second go, but you think we want your dog's poop in the yard? Once again, the inconsiderate few make live hard for the rest.

They should ban people on the trail who turn around like startled deer, usually into the left lane where you plan to pass, when you yell "on your left" like you are supposed to. They are just as dangerous as dogs. I don't bother saying anything most of the time anymore.

"Should bike trails allow dogs year-round?"

They already do....Oh, you're talking about the canine variety, huh?

I vote NO to allowing dogs year-round! I say this as a rollerblader who has been run off the trail by dogs fairly often. Dog owners don't seem to realize that the phrase "he won't hurt you," doesn't carry the same weight when the person their pet is approaching has wheels strapped to their feet!!
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I worry more about getting knocked over or accidentally tripped by "over-friendly" dogs than I do about dodging poop piles.

Dogs are required to be on lead, EXCEPT in the dog areas. I believe there are too many people in Traxler to allow dogs on the trails, even on lead.

Service dogs are always allowed on the trails.

Good call, to those who are against allowing dogs on the trails. Assaultive dogs and owners who leave dog crap and those who carry bags and only pickup the crap when someone is watching are filthy people who need to stay at home with their crap machines.

To those who equate dogs crapping on the trails and in the parks and elsewhere with wildlife, start picking up your dog crap, ya slobs.

grandys618 May 17, 2011 at 4:23 p.m. I use the trails regularily and have never seen rabbit or deer pooh. There is a lot of goose poop in Monterey park. The challenge is to weave around it, kinda like an obstacle course. It adds to the bike riding experience.

Sounds like a great idea for all responsible dog owners.
The problem is idiots also own dogs. Like others who have posted here, I have seen too many dog owners who don't seem to care where the dog leaves a dropping because they have no intention of picking it up.
Another nuscience is the unleashed dog. The owner insists that it's a 'nice dog' while you are doing battle to keep it from attacking you or your dog.
Maybe there should be a test to show that you are smarter than a dog before you are allowed to own one.

It really would be fine if everyone respected the trail. I believe that Mr Knox blogged about this last year? maybe not though. Today is after May 15 and there were 2 pets on the bike trail during my ride between 4 and 6. One just sat there with a husky mix in the middle of the trail, requiring me to stop my bike until the owner of the animal got of his phone and started walking again. The other owner quickly controlled her animal and was respectful of others on the trail. If everyone respected everyone it would be fine, but since people are not, I hope that this rule does not change.

Grandy.....They like to tiptoe through the goose dung in Riverside and Traxler park.

There actually is a trail in Janesville that allows pets year round. The section of the paved trail starting from the boat launch on Afton Road going south/west is an off leash dog area. It's very nice and rarely busy. I've never seen any kind of problem with owners not picking up after their animals out there. In my opinion it is one of the nicest parts of the trail. I love to take my dog out there.
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I can see possibly testing out allowing dogs on leashes on certain parts of the trail. If the city would run a trial program in a limited area, then maybe we'd have a better idea of whether it would work or not. I think that if dogs are going to be allowed on more heavily used areas of the trail near traffic, especially through Palmer Park, they should be required to be leashed with limited leash lengths and there should be strict fines for not cleaning up after them. I also think the city should allow dogs in some parks, like Riverside, year round. Considering we are the city of parks, there should be more dog friendly options. I think it's at least worth it to test out some programs and see how things go.

I have a dog and would love to be able to bring it with me to the parks and on the trails year round BUT even though I'm a responsible dog owner who trains, controls and cleans up after my dog, I think there are just too many that don't. And those that don't, give the rest of us a bad rap and they ruin things for everyone. So I say keep some places off limits to the dogs.

CallitasIseeit: I have to agree with you. I am not saying that all dog owners lack the responsibility needed for proper dog ownership. However, there are already enough idiots that leave dog dropping on sidewalks, terraces, and trails and let their dogs run wild for it to currently be a problem. Let's not expand the problem to year-round on the trails. Besides, the city is full of sidewalks to walk your dog on and there are special dog run areas. Use them.

Unless you want the trails littered with dog crap they should not be allowed. I am tired of seeing logs laying on the sidewalks on the way to the trail, don't make me tip toe around them there as well.

In 30 years of walking on Janesville's east side the situation has gotten worse in the last few years on the sidewalks, streets and in my yard.