One of the perennial gripes for some hikers is off-leash dogs on the trail. It’s bad for wildlife, they say. Others say it’s not a big deal.
So, what do we know about off-leash dogs and their effect on wildlife? It turns out it can be surprisingly difficult to pin down specifics, but experts tend to agree on some overall points.
In general, it does seem to be true that pet dogs can pose a threat to wild animals.
For starters, such dogs have been linked to attacks on tortoises, bighorn sheep and seals resting or foraging on beaches. Even if they don’t catch what they’re chasing, they can amplify stress for wildlife.
“Some dog owners will characterize that as, ‘oh they're just having a bit of fun,’” says Mike Weston, a conservation biologist at Deakin University in Australia. “But, if we can put ourselves in the wild animal’s perspective ...
