Needless to say, when I got wind of a proposed regulation to require leashes on trails located within a few miles of the nature center, my hackles raised.

I moved to Alaska from Colorado six years ago to get away from backcountry crowds, to get away from regulated and regimented mountains. I wanted to live in a place where people - and animals - can still roam free. And I still want that.

I certainly understand why there have been continuous conflicts with and between dogs near the nature center. I completely avoid the trails in question on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the summer, waiting until 10 p.m. to take my daily run. During these high-use hours, families with little kids and tourists from Florida, Tennessee and other more civilized locales are scattered throughout the entire length of the trails that would fall under the new regulation.

So the question in my mind isn’t, “Is there an issue?” Rather, it’s, “Is adding new regulations to the books really the answer?”

Tom Harrison, superintendent of Chugach State Parks, said if the leash regulation passes, the agency hopes to seek compliance by educating the public, rather than needing to resort to enforcement.

I agree, compliance rather than enforcement is always ideal, but let’s think for a moment about who is most likely to comply. In my mind the answer is simple: those who are responsible enough to have taken the time to train their furry friends and those who already know when a situation or a condition calls for a leash.

This leaves the problem dogs still scampering about unrestrained.

The other major concern I have with the proposed leash regulation is that it leads to a slippery slope. Once the ball gets rolling, where does it stop? How long will it be before Baldy, Bear Mountain, Crow Pass, Wolverine, Flat Top, O’Malley and every other well-tromped trail gets regulated? (Yes, I know, some of these trails are on municipal land, but ruinous regulations could end up there too.)

Harrison concedes this isn’t a far-fetched possibility.

“If people aren’t controlling their pets, theoretically things could change in other places,” he said.

Right now there are no leash requirements on Chugach State Park trails. Pets have to be under their owner’s control at all times, and leashed in parking lots and campgrounds, but not on trails.

So what’s my suggestion for how to manage situations with problem dogs? Enforce what’s already on the books: leashed or unleashed, dogs need to be under their owners’ control.

If a dog is running around - knocking over kids, harassing a group out on a nature walk or starting fights with other pups - cite the owner, hit him or her with a fine and ticket, or even offer up a more severe punishment if the problem persists.

But, please, don’t make those who have taught their hound “heel” and “on by” pay for the negligence of those who have not.

My new slogan: “Practical policy, not puppy prison.”

OK, maybe “prison” is a bit extreme, but the point is not.

For more information on the proposed regulation, call the Department of Natural Resources’ Public Information Center at 269-8400 or visit www.dnr.alaska.gov/parks/asp/regchange2009.htm.

Written public comments can be sent to Chris Degernes, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1380, Anchorage, AK 99501. They can also be e-mailed to dnr.parkregs@alaska.gov or faxed to 269-8907. The deadline is 4 p.m. July 9.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, July 2, 2009.