Dog owners trying to counter irresponsible use of forest center

All is not quiet at the Genetic Resource and Conservation Center forest in south Chico, as more dog owners turn to the tree-filled site as a place for their pets to run and play.

[Mateo45]

While most pet owners may be responsible folks, unfortunately "doggie-dom" seems to attract more than it's share of irresponsible narcissist types, who ruin it for everyone else.

Refusing to clean up after your pet, or labeling other people as "uptight" simply because they expect you to follow the laws, is typical "entitled" behavior of the narcissist. And it's often why they're so infatuated with their "mini-me" pet, which (unlike people) will still adore them no matter how they behave.

[onenation]

I love walking my dog in this area. I guess word got out that it was a great place to walk dogs. I dont mind picking up with people. I'll do what ever it takes to keep things friendly. This is the only "clean"
area in town to walk your dog. Upper park has too many burrs for my Maltese

[practical one]

The rule is to keep your dog leashed yet Hutchings lets his run free? And he complains about others not following another rule - to clean up after your dog. You can't pick and choose rules to follow. It seems that Hutchings is also part of the problem even though he claims otherwise.

[Park Lover]

You have to keep you dog leashed while entering and exiting the park. Once inside you can let your dog off the leash, as long as you aren't on the nature trails.
We take our dogs down to the park every weekend and it would be a shame if this was no longer open to dogs. It truly is the highlight of my two dogs' week. If only everyone would do their share and pick up after their dogs...

[onenation]

I havent seen ANYONE breaking the rules about dogs on leash on the nature trail and I have been walking my dog there for 5 years. Most everyone wants to cooperate. If there is a bad apple or two then we as fellow dog owners can gently pursuade them to walk off leash at the tree orchards. I really don't think people will argue. It's not and arguing type place (like the DMV)!

[DeboraS]

Thanks for the heads up regarding cleaning up better at the tree forest. DeGarmo is behind schedule but the fences were up last week--with THREE sets of double gates. The point of three was to make it easy to separate dogs who might need a time out, while still having easy access in and out of the somewhat small park. When will it open? I got no response to my requests. But with more people and more dogs Urseny's article is right on--we need to NOT vote for the people who promised dog parks during the last election cycle and then dropped the ball. Who were they? It was the city council folks--let's come up with names and shame them into action. Beware: DeGarmo offers no shade.

[interested party]

What is not touched on in this article are the unsocialized dogs that come to the Tree Farm and end up causing dog fights... fights that have caused serious injuries to dogs. One dog even lost a portion of an ear! If this place is truly to remain a dog friendly place, people need to take responsibility for their dogs and NOT bring dogs that can't get along with others. Keep in mind too that there are plenty of rattlesnakes at the Tree Farm and your dog isn't completely safe there either. And with the increased usage and lack of responsible clean up increased disease in dogs has been seen too.

[Long Time User]

I have seen the use of the "Tree Improvement Center" (which we still call it) mushroom over the last year or two. We have been taking our dogs there for over 20 years. It is the ONLY place in town we can take our golden without picking burrs out of her for an hour after. Bidwell Park is only burr-free for a few months during the winter. We always walk on the north side of the creek, and if we go over to the bamboo we leash our dogs. I have not seen a lot of rogue dogs, but some of the owners are questionable. We do pick up poop. It would be a shame to close the Center to dogs, but I have seen a lot of unfortunate things happen to this town in the last 25 years.

[onelonewolf]

I sometimes take my human for a walk, and yes he is on a leash, but I'd like to apologize for him
pooping on the trails, sorry folks but when he has to go he has to go.

[Heather]

I take my black lab mix to the tree center and let her roam without a leash, which is how she was trained as a pup, so she is very well behaved off the leash. It's usually such a struggle to use a leash when she stays right at my side anyway! I always carry my own pooh bags and have really enjoyed walking there with her. I was really impressed with how friendly the dogs and people were. It's so nice to go somewhere where the people aren't terrified of animals in general (they need to leave the city now and again!) and where a dog can bark once and the owner doesn't get a ticket. Animals need to be animals once in a while. It's sad to think that a few could take that small bit of freedom away. Thanks to all those working on dog park efforts!