Dogs Running Off-Leash Raise Concerns For Branford Resident

Editor's Note: Submitted and written by a Branford resident

I am born and raised here in Branford and I’ve noticed the lack of care with people and their dogs being off leash at the Branford supply pond trails. It’s rare to run into an owner with their dog on a leash there. I feel it needs to be a rule that is reestablished there.

There have been too many times I have had large breeds (ie. German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Labs, Dobermans, and even a huge Saint Bernard) run up to my two dogs on leashes and scare my dogs to the point where my dogs get upset and almost causes a fight.

Meanwhile the owners are lagging behind on the trail and I’m left with protecting my dogs who are rightfully on a leash. Something needs to be done about this. I am 8 months pregnant and I like to walk my dogs outside on a trail, on a leash, like normal.

Off leash dogs are meant for an enclosed dog park where owners have more control over their animals ... it’s super out of hand on those trails and I fear for not only myself having to break up potential dog fights (8 months pregnant) but for other dog owners that may not like other dogs running up to them as well.

Veronica Ahlgrim

Branford, CT