May I comment about ongoing Utah legislative action that would allow dogs in canyon watershed areas as long as they remain in cars. The Deseret News Sunday article pitted “freedom against feces.” It discussed bacteria and water quality. It discussed Corner Canyon and years of unsuccessful efforts in dealing with dog owners.

One legislator said it is not about an animal using the bathroom but about freedom, liberty, common sense and trusting folks. I frequent Millcreek Canyon and see much evidence that there are some dog owners who cannot be trusted. Millcreek Canyon’s trails, parking lots and the snow-packed road above the winter gate are scattered with both bagged and free lying dog feces.

Who would think it’s OK to leave colored plastic bags on the trail or tie them to tree branches to dangle like lumpy colored tree ornaments. Once spring comes and the parking lots and gated upper road loose snowpack, hundreds of pine cone look-alikes are exposed. Who wants to drink water from canyon streams knowing what is being washed down them gets into our water supply?

May I suggest the state legislators take a spring field trip up Millcreek Canyon and see for themselves if allowing dogs in watershed is really a “commonsense measure that does not impair the watershed.” Will dogs really remain in cars? As far as I know there is no poop fairy who cleans up after some dog owner’s failures to dooh the right thing.

Reggie Croft

Salt Lake City