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WESTON, Conn. The new leash rule at Trout Brook Valley nature preserve, located on the Weston and Easton border, has created a firestorm of comments with our readers, many of whom have taken to the web to sound off.
The Aspetuck Land Trust announced that in order to conduct a wildlife survey at the nature preserve, all dogs now must be on leashes when accompanying owners on hikes. Since 1999, dogs have been allowed to roam free with their owners on the trails.
Our readers took to the Internet to express their views on the new rule. Here are some of the comments we received on The Daily Weston Facebook Page:
As a resident of Bradley Road, and owner of three Siberian Huskies, I am thrilled with the new rule. Now I am able to walk my Sibes on the trails on leash and have a better chance of no mishaps of out-of-control dogs running off leash into my 'pack' and causing trouble, said Weston resident Betsey Peyreigne.
Peyreigne said it was also common to see out-of-control dogs running off leash at the park. I am tired of having my dogs in control while out-of-control dogs disrupt my hike. She said she also hopes the Aspetuck Land Trust keeps the new rule in place.
Here are some other user comments from our Facebook page:
Michael Liebow I frequent TBV and don't see the need for excessive regulation. There will always be a few rule-breakers, but by and large, the majority of people in TBV on any given day are nice and courteous to others. To behave as if TBV is over-run by dogs (bikes and horses) is a misnomer. TBV is not NYC's Central Park. It deserves our support and protection and is a treasured asset.
The notion the ALT needs a year to "study" the issue is absurd. Too bad our elected state and local representatives don't take a more active role in ALT's decision-making process. Missed opportunity if you ask me.
Amy Baker Sander - I think it is ironic that a nature preserve allows hunting. I would imagine that the hunters disrupt wildlife more [than] a dog walking without a leash. Those of us with well-behaved dogs are pretty heartbroken about this decision.
How do you feel about the rule change?
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