Park Section Will Enact Leash Law

The law enforcement branch of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has announced it will implement a leash regulation in a popular dog-walking section of the site beginning June 1.

But dog owners and area residents say the rule--coupled with a plan by some neighbors to expand parking restrictions--could spoil an urban escape.

John Diaz, chief of land acquisition for the conservancy, said although leash laws exist in almost all public lands, visitors were allowed for years to unleash their canines along Betty B. Dearing Trail in the Wilacre Park section of the mountains.

The freedom was granted with the provision that dog owners would reasonably control and clean up after their animals. But in light of two recent biting incidents and a minefield of dog droppings along the trail, canine liberty has been curtailed.

“We were allowing that privilege but it has been abused,” Diaz said.

He said the plan was also needed to provide seamless rules in all sections of the conservancy. Currently, hikers often leave their dogs unleashed when crossing imaginary boundaries where leash rules exist.

Although confident about the appropriateness of leash regulation, conservancy officials do not support homeowners closest to the entrance of Dearing Trail who seek to expand parking restrictions.

A group of homeowners farther away from the trail also say more restricted parking would deny a public right.

“It’s the people’s park,” said Susan Tyler, a longtime neighborhood resident. “How can you say, ‘Here’s the park. Here’s the entrance but you can’t park your car near here.’ ”