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Can Be Startling to See

It is wonderful to have the addition of the newly completed section of the Shoreline Greenway Trail connecting Tabor Drive to Pine Orchard Road. It is a lovely scenic walk next to Chet’s Pond and an excellent alternative to walking on busy Pine Orchard Road. I usually walk with our Lab once a day along the trail and enjoy it immensely. However, there have been three instances where I have been confronted with a dog running off leash toward us. All three times the dogs were 20- to 50 feet away when I yelled to the owner to leash their dog. All three owners reacted nonchalantly to my request; I then responded that there would be a dogfight if their dog did not stop running at my dog. Thankfully, their dogs were brought under control before any confrontation occurred with my dog.

The rules for the trail are posted on the sign at the beginning of the trail at the Tabor Drive entrance including that “Dogs on leash are welcome.” I want to alert people who may enter from the Pine Orchard Road entrance to the trail where there is no sign with the rules to be sure to walk their dog on leash if they have been unaware of that rule. There are a number of curves in the trail where you can’t see who is coming and it can be startling to see a loose dog running at you.

Not all dogs want to say “Hello” to other dogs, so I encourage hikers to be considerate and respect this rule so that all dog walkers can safely enjoy the trail.

Kate Hvizdak

Branford