As a dog owner for most of my life, I certainly appreciate the affection that humans have for their dogs. Domesticated 12,000 years ago, dogs have been far more than faithful companions, often playing important roles in hunting, security, livestock control and direct human assistance. But dogs, unlike their wild ancestors, are no more part of nature than are domestic chickens, cows or pot-bellied pigs. In fact, since dogs have been bred for their special talents and desired appearance, humans are more natural than their canine companions.
Most dogs need plenty of activity and, due to their inate instincts, can be a problem in fragile ecosystems, often chasing native wildlife and disturbing the sensitive flora. While parks, farms and non-vital open space areas are reasonable sites for off-leash exercise, most nature preserves and wilderness areas either exclude dogs or require that they be leashed and that their excrement be packed out. Unfortunately, as one who often visits such areas, I have found that a significant percentage of dog owners ignore those regulations; for this reason, it seems to me that dog exclusion is the only viable alternative. Our love for dogs cannot outweight our commitment to conservation!
