| United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC) United Pier and Shore Anglers of California Joins Coalition to Demand Leash Law Enforcement in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area For Immediate Release Recreational fishermen fish large stretches of the GGNRA shoreline, from Fort Funston to Crissy Field. Unfortunately, those stretches are shared with members of the public who choose to walk their dogs off-leash. Among anglers who fish these areas it is difficult to find one that has not had a negative encounter with an off leash dog. Many anglers have had several such encounters, some of which were dangerous or potentially dangerous to angler and dog alike. The off-leash dog situation is so discouraging to some anglers that they will not fish that part of Crissy Field that is not designated a Wildlife Protection Area, where dogs are not allowed. Many believe that it is simply not worth the trouble to try to share the beach with off-leash dog owners. Examples of angler/off-leash dog incidents in the GGNRA include: - A case of an angler bitten by an off-leash dog in the Presidio. The wound later became infected. - Anglers menaced by off-leash dogs at Crissy Field. In once case the dog growled and assumed an aggressive stance while the owners made no attempt to control the dog. - Off-leash dogs urinating on anglers' personal belongings. -Irresponsible, inconsiderate dog owners throwing tennis balls and other fetch objects directly into the path of an angler's line, not only ruining fishing for the angler but also endangering the dog. - Dogs interfering with fishing. Dogs have repeatedly interfered with fishermen in the past, in particular chasing after fish or baited fishing lines. At least two cases are known in which dogs have been injured when biting baited lines or fishing lures. In each case the dog was not leashed and in each case the dog owner blamed the angler. - Off-leash dogs chasing birds and other wildlife. Most beachgoers, we would suggest, do not come to Crissy Field and Ocean Beach to see a beach devoid of wildlife except for dogs. Unfortunately, that is often the case in areas of the GGNRA in which dogs are allowed to run unleashed. Off-leash dogs present hazards to other animals, particularly marine mammals and birds, that anglers share the shoreline with. - Dogs off leash and unsupervised can negatively impact the fishing conditions and make for unfriendly sharing of waters by ruining the fishing prospects. - Dog waste and feces. There is a problem, particularly at Fort Funston, of dog feces simply left on the beach by dog owners. -Dogs off leash, in the case of some more menacing breeds are a threat to children and adults as well. UPSAC recognizes that many dog owners are responsible individuals who respect the rights and space of others. We believe we can share the beach with such individual owners. But there are many dog owners who do are not responsible, do not respect the rights and space of others, and are dangerously incompetent in their ownership of a potentially dangerous animal. United Pier and Shore Anglers fully supports the Center for Biological Diversity and other petitioners in requesting that the National Park Service enforce the leash law at in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. |