Dogs on walking trail create concerns
SAN BENITO — Delia Claudio wants dog owners to keep their pets away from her during her brisk walks along the Heavin Resaca Trail.
Like some residents, she thinks city officials should make it safer for her to walk the trail that is also used by dog owners and their pets.
“It’s for the safety of the public and protection of the children,” the housewife said as she pulled off her head phones. “It’s for the dogs, too. They can get into brawls and hurt people.”
Another resident, who declined to give her name, said she was afraid that dogs would attack her Chihuahua on the trail.
“I carry him when I see dogs or dogs will attack him,” the woman said. “I’ve been scared to walk him through here because of dogs.”
City officials today will discuss ways to make it safer for walkers and dog owners to enjoy the trail that has become one of the city’s biggest recreational attractions.
Officials will also consider cracking down on the city’s leash law.
“There’s a lot of dogs loose and not on leashes,” City Manager Manuel Lara said. “We’ve had some concerns with some of the people who like to walk their dogs. Some of the dogs become kind of aggressive.”
He also said city officials will consider a “pooper scooper” policy to require dog owners to clean their pets’ droppings along the trail.
Three residents have complained of dog bites on the 8-foot wide trail, Assistant City Manager Chuck Jalomo said.
“The trail is so narrow that you have people coming one way and people coming the opposition way and when people meet we’ve had dog bites,” Jalomo said. “The dogs turn and bite people coming the opposite direction and there have been incidents where the dogs go for each other.”
Mayor Jack Garcia said officials will consider designating an area where dog owners can walk their pets or restrict their walks to the grass along the trail.
“We have to respect the people who walk their dogs and we have to respect the people who walk or jog,” Garcia said. “First and foremost is the safety of people.”
